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Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drab stalemate in Waterford clash leaves Drogheda United feeling blue
Dropped points elsewhere by Bohemians, Shelbourne and Derry City limited the damage to Drogheda United's European aspirations following this disappointing draw against Waterford at Sullivan & Lambe Park on Friday night. In a game of few chances the Boynesiders did rack up their fourth consecutive clean sheet, but they were lacking in quality at the opposite end of the pitch against the joint worst defence in the Premier Division and failed to test Stephen McMullan in the Waterford goal all evening. Opposition boss John Coleman had said in the build-up to this game that he'd be trying to do to Drogheda what they did to Bohs the previous week, in other words defending resiliently and then trying to hit them on the break, and Waterford will be well pleased with their night's work despite failing to complete the job by snatching a shock winner. The Boynesiders began brightly enough and in the fourth minute Darragh Markey had a shot blocked and Shane Farrell's follow-up from distance grazed the crossbar. Oluwa then sent a looping header just too high from Markey's floated cross, before Conor Kane and Markey combined to put Oluwa down the left flank and he cut the ball back to Owen Lambe whose shot was blocked by Ryan Burke. Oluwa then got on the end of a lovely floated pass by Shane Farrell and cut inside before sending a tame shot straight into the hands of McMullan. At the other end Lambe gave away possession cheaply and from the resulting Waterford attack the ball sat up nicely for Conan Noonan and his half-volley was superbly turned away by keeper Luke Dennison. Just past the half-hour mark, Oluwa pick-pocketed Burke and took off down the pitch and had a two-on-one situation as Josh Thomas came up in support, but the former Wexford striker went for goal himself and his shot was brilliantly blocked away for a corner by last man Kyle White. Oluwa had a couple of other half-chances coming up to half-time, and just after the break James Bolger's pass released Lambe in behind the Waterford defence and he squared towards Thomas whose low shot lacked power as McMullan again made a routine save. A similar effort at the other end by former Liverpool and Rangers midfielder Jordan Dennison mwas easily gathered by Dennison, but Drogheda continued to have the upper hand and Oluwa fired an angled effort into the side netting after an assist from Conor Keeley, before Keeley himself hooked over the bar. ADVERTISEMENT The longer the game went on, though, the more Waterford seemed to grow in confidence and the final quarter was an evenly contested affair. Tommy Lonergan had a sight of goal in the 71st minute as he drifted infield, but Andrew Quinn did just enough to put off the former St Pat's man whose shot flew well wide. Lonergan then headed just over the bar from a Noonan corner, before Padraig Amond glanced a header straight into the hands of Dennison. Drogheda threatened from a couple of corner kicks in stoppage time, but Waterford defended gamely and ultimately were good value for a rare point on the road. Drogheda United: Luke Dennison 7; James Bolger 8, Conor Keeley 8, Andrew Quinn8 ; Owen Lambe 6, Ryan Brennan 8, Shane Farrell 8 (John O'Sullivan 77min, 6), Conor Kane 7; Darragh Markey 7, Thomas Oluwa 6 (Dare Kareem 85min), Josh Thomas 6 (Warren Davis 62min, 6). Subs not used: Aaron Harper-Bailey, George Cooper, Kieran Cruise, Luke Heeney, Michael Cardo, Jack Brady. Waterford: Stephen McMullan 7; Grant Horton 8, Rowan McDonald 8, Andy Boyle 8, Ryan Burke 8; Conan Noonan 8, James Olayinka 7, Jordan Rossiter 7, Kyle White 7; Padraig Amond 8, Tommy Lonergan 6 (Trae Bailey Coyle 86min). Subs not used: (Adam Coyne, Bradley Wade, Jesse Dempsey, Sean Keane, Adam Queally, Dean McMenamy, Sam Glenfield, Josh Miles. Attendance: 2,194
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Drogheda United left frustrated as Waterford hold firm in Sullivan & Lambe Park draw
Drogheda United were the better side for long spells but couldn't find a breakthrough against Waterford in a goalless clash that could prove costly in their European push Thomas Oluwa went as close as anyone to finding a goal at Sullivan & Lambe Park but in the end, there was none to be had. The former Blues man had chances in the first and second half but United could not find a winner to earn a fourth straight win in all competitions. Advertisement 2 Andrew Quinn of Drogheda United clears his lines as Tommy Lonergan during the scoreless draw against Waterford 2 Ryan Brennan and Drogheda United were left frustrated after the 0-0 result Waterford will have been happy to escape with a draw given how the Drogs were the better team for large spells. The point moves them further away from Sligo and Galway below them for now. But Kevin Doherty might consider this two points drop in their race for an unlikely European qualification. Josh Thomas started a match for the first time since February up front, as the United boss made a couple of changes from last week's victory over Bohemians. Advertisement The on-loan Swansea City striker had scored in both his sub appearances since his returning from his long injury layoff – against Crumlin United in the FAI Cup and then the winner at Dalymount Park. Shane Farrell replaced Luke Heeney in midfield while John Coleman also made two changes to his starting XI. With Darragh Leahy and Finlay Armstrong missing, Kyle White and James Olayinka came in. Both teams knew a win would go a long way. For Drogheda, they would take a firmer grip on a top four position with the race for Europe hotting up. Advertisement The Blues knew three points would put them 10 points clear of Sligo Rovers in the relegation playoff spot and keep them within reach of those further up the table. The Drogs home form is outstanding and they will have sensed a real opportunity to extend their winning streak to four games against Waterford – but a point is better than nothing. Ex-Man Utd star Ashley Young at centre of huge brawl after controversial late penalty during Birmingham vs Ipswich clash Shane Farrell took aim early on and while Oluwa headed harmlessly over the bar from Darragh Markey's cross, they still had some clear sights of goal. Kyle White was needed to block Owen Lambe's goal bound effort after an Oluwa pull back. Advertisement And then Oluwa went close himself when he spun Jordan Rossiter in the centre circle. The ex-Liverpool player was left on the ground while the speedster raced towards goal. But White got a crucial touch to deny him and deflect his shot over the bar. Waterford's posed a threat to United's rearguard in the first half too. 12-goal striker Padraig Amond required attention at all times and Conan Noonan forced a save from Luke Dennison. Advertisement The Drogheda stopper sprang to his right to palm away his 27th minute strike from the edge of the area. That was as close as Waterford came throughout. Jordan Rossiter took aim from outside the area after the break, but it was no problem at all for the Californian stopper. Thomas had an effort of his own early in the second half but Drogs' best chance of a goal came via Oluwa. The pacy forward turned smartly in the area to meet Conor Keeley's flick on. Advertisement But his fierce near post effort hit the side netting. DROGHEDA UTD 0 - O WATERFORD SUN STAR MAN: CONOR KANE (Drogheda United) DROGHEDA UTD: Dennison 6; Bolger 6, Keeley 7, Quinn 7; Lambe 6, Brennan 7, Farrell 6 (O'Sullivan, 77 5), Kane 8; Markey 6; Oluwa 7 (Kareem, 85), Thomas 6 (Davis, 62 6). WATERFORD: McMullan 6; McDonald 7, Boyle 6, Burke 6; Horton 6, Rossiter 6, Olayinka 7, White 6; Noonan 7, Amond 6, Lonergan 5 (Coyle, 86). Advertisement REFEREE: Marc Lynch 6.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Drogheda miss chance to go second after Waterford stalemate
DROGHEDA passed up the opportunity to steal a march in the European race after this stalemate where neither side did enough to Doherty's charges only needed one chance a week ago to shoot down Bohemians, snatching victory with a lethal counter in the dying they cobbled together more half chances than Waterford but they were never convincing in the final third and couldn't seal the deal for a second week Thomas Oluwa shown more awareness at the end of his 50-yard dash with the ball, it might have been a different story as Josh Thomas was waiting to tap was their hero in Dalymount last Friday, but Oluwa went for glory himself and squandered the opportunity when Kyle White got back to making a brilliant that was Waterford's gameplan - putting bodies on the line and winning their individual duels for a well-earned signalled their intent early and Shane Farrell drilled a 25-yarder over before Oluwa did likewise, after twisting in the air to head Darragh Markey's FAI Cup holders had more chances in a tight first-half, with Oluwa pulling a ball back for Owen Lambe only for Ryan Burke to deflect his on-target effort to took their time to get going, but when they did they carved out the best chance of that opening man James Olayinka raided down the left and put a cross in which Conor Keeley headed away, but only as far as the lurking Conan on-loan Shamrock Rovers midfielder watched the dropping ball like a hawk and met it well with his left foot, but Luke Dennison made a flying save to thwart just as the Blues were starting to impose themselves, they almost gifted Drogheda the opener had Oluwa's decision making not let him a Waterford corner was cleared, the Drogs attacker picked up the ball midway inside his own half and set off on a scorching run to the opposite Waterford's defence trying to scramble back, he was always winning the foot race and had strike partner Thomas for company in a 2 v1 instead of squaring to the unmarked, on-loan Swansea City ace, Oluwa went for White's brilliant, sliding intervention saved the Blues as the ball deflected out for a corner. To say Thomas was livid is putting it Welshman did try to take matters into his own hands early in the second half but his low shot from the edge of the area was straight at goalkeeper Stephen after, Oluwa had another opportunity to break the deadlock but from an angle, he hesitated before firing into the side netting. And thereafter neither side did enough to claim the points. Tommy Lonergan and Padraig Amond threatened briefly late on, but the defences ultimately won out.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Unable to break the deadlock Drogheda and Waterford share the spoils
SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Drogheda United 0 Waterford 0 The points were shared but there were no goals to split between Drogheda United and Waterford at Sullivan & Lambe Park. As their July consisted of a Spanish training camp rather than a competitive European tie, Drogheda look refreshed going into the season's final stretch. There is no sense whatsoever that this a group that feels sorry for themselves post-European heartache. Nor does it appear Drogheda will fade away. Their strong start to the season has extended far beyond the campaign's opening weeks and months. They will have had eyes on this game as an opportunity to consolidate their place in the race for the top four. A draw, in that context, is disappointing. They had plenty of chances to win it; especially in the first half. Owen Lambe saw his goal bound shot blocked by Ryan Burke and after Thomas Oluwa surged into the box, Kyle White did superbly well to deflect his effort over. There were half chances aplenty as well and at the other end, Conan Noonan and Jordan Rossiter both forced saves from Luke Dennison. Noonan's especially is worthy of note. The on-loan Shamrock Rovers player forced a diving save from the United goalkeeper. Waterford had a three-match winning streak of their own ended against St Patrick's Athletic last weekend. Victories over Galway and Cork City have brightened the skies over the RSC of late. With the division's leading goalscorer Padraig Amond in tow, the visitors could never be discounted. He tried his luck against all three Drogheda centre-backs throughout, but it was in short supply for him in truth. United's best opportunity of the second half, which like the first they bested, was when Oluwa latched onto Conor Keeley's flick-on, but his attempt to beat Stephen McMullan at his near post rippled the side netting. DROGHEDA UTD: Dennison; Bolger, Keeley, Quinn; Lambe, Brennan, Farrell (O'Sullivan, 77), Kane; Markey; Oluwa (Kareem, 85), Thomas (Davis, 62). WATERFORD: McMullan; McDonald, Boyle, Burke; Horton, Rossiter, Olayinka, White; Noonan, Amond, Lonergan (Coyle, 86). Referee: Marc Lynch
Irish Independent
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drogheda United hearts broken by fortuitous Derry City equaliser
DERRY CITY 1 ON the day it emerged that Kevin Doherty had pledged his future to Drogheda United by signing a new contract, his team were on course for just their second win in seven games until a huge slice of ill-fortune struck in the 90th minute. FAI Cup Final star Elicha Ahui was the thorn in Derry City's side again as his first-half strike put the Boynesiders ahead, but the insurance goal just wouldn't come and the visitors stole a point when a speculative shot from Dom Thomas took a big deflection off luckless debutant Scott Brady and nestled in the net past a helpless keeper Luke Dennison. From a position where Drogheda would have climbed back into second place in the table, they ended the night in fifth spot. Derry, the league's in-form team, had arrived at Sullivan & Lambe Park intent on ending a three-game losing streak against the Drogs - including that never-to-be-forgotten cup final - and they nearly hit the front in fortuitous fashion when a mis-hit Liam Boyce effort looped up onto the roof of the net in the sixth minute. The Boynesiders then had a let-off when their marking from a free kick went awry and former Drogs centre-half Hayden Cann was left completely alone in the box, only to steer a header straight at Dennison when he had time to take the ball down. Gradually, Drogheda gained more of a foothold in the game and after some head tennis in the Derry penalty area around the half-hour mark Warren Davis steered a 20-yard volley just wide of the target. The Candystripes wasted another great scoring opportunity on 35 minutes when Gavin Whyte and Michael Duffy created a two-on-one situation, but Whyte failed to release his colleague and Conor Kane somehow got back to dispossess the Northern Ireland international with a timely tackle. Perhaps it was slightly against the run of play, then, when the home side struck in the 41st minute. Owen Lambe forced Derry into conceding a corner kick and it was the wing-back's delivery from the right that was met with a near-post bullet header from Ahui for 1-0. There was a half-chance for Thomas Oluwa in the 44th minute after a Cann error, but the striker opted for a cross instead of a shot and the danger was averted. The third quarter belonged to Drogheda and they will feel this was the period when they should have put the game to bed. Their best chance arrived in the 62nd minute when Ahui chased a seemingly lost cause, came away with the ball from a 50/50 tackle on the right touchline and charged towards goal. The option was there for the Englishman to take a shot, but instead he squared to the supporting Oluwa who took a couple of touches before seeing his goal-bound shot deflected narrowly wide by Kevin Holt. Then, three minutes, later, Douglas James-Taylor released the on-rushing Kane whose brilliant cross from the left reached Oluwa, and his header was tipped over the bar by Brian Maher. With no sign of an equaliser coming, Derry boss Tiernan Lynch had made four changes by the 72nd minute in the hope of salvaging something from the game and his side passed up a great opportunity on 77 minutes when two of his substitutes combined. With Brennan off the field after receiving attention, Paul McMullan whipped a cross into the box and the ball eventually landed at the feet of Patrick Hoban whose mis-hit shot was gathered comfortably by Dennison. At the other end a Brennan effort ricocheted towards sub Brady and he nicely clipped the ball into the path of Oluwa who shot over from 10 yards, but in the last minute of normal time Thomas broke Drogheda's hearts with that fortunate equaliser. Drogheda: Luke Dennison 7; Elicha Ahui 8, Conor Keeley 8, James Bolger 7, Owen Lambe 8, Luke Heeney 7, Ryan Brennan 8, Conor Kane 8; Warren Davis 7 (Bridel Bosakani 88); Thomas Oluwa 7, Douglas James-Taylor 8 (Scott Brady 75, 7). Subs not used: Zishim Bawa, George Cooper, Kieran Cruise, Aaron Harper-Bailey, Dare Kareem, Andrew Quinn, Jack Brady. Derry: Brian Maher 7; Hayden Cann 8, Mark Connolly 8, Kevin Holt 8, Sam Todd 8; Adam O'Reilly 7, Robbie Benson 6, Ciaron Harkin 6 (Danny Mullen 46, 6), Michael Duffy 7 (Paul McMullan 68, 7); Gavin Whyte 6 (Dom Thomas 68, 7), Liam Boyce 7 (Pat Hoban 72, 6). Subs not used: Arlo Doherty, Shane Ferguson, Glenn McCourt, Cead McGrath, Sean Patton. ATTENDANCE: 2,301
