17-05-2025
Derry City spoil the party at Drogheda United with last-minute equaliser to silence home support
DOM THOMAS was the Derry City hero as they snatched an unlikely draw in the 90th minute against Drogheda United.
Elicha Ahui looked to have set the Drogs on the way to a victory on what was already a memorable day for the club.
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United announced earlier on that Kevin Doherty had signed a two-year contract extension.
The beloved boss is set to stay at the club until the end of the 2027 season.
He might have his sights set on even more scalps against the Foylesiders in the next 2½ half years.
They came mightily close to securing a fourth straight win against City until Thomas' first goal for his new club. Ahui especially likes playing against Derry.
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His last appearance against them was a man-of-the-match display in November's FAI Cup final.
He has three Drogheda goals to his name and two of them have come against City.
The first was the winner in a 1-0 victory at the Ryan McBride Bandywell two years ago.
And he set Drogs on their way on home soil this time.
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With regular set-piece taker Shane Farrell suspended, Owen Lambe was on corner duty. Ahui met his delivery from the right with a header in line with the front post.
The on-loan Walsall defender got in front of Sam Todd and directed it downwards beyond Brian Maher.
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And that was Drogheda in front five minutes before the break.
It was no less than Doherty's team deserved. This was a major reaction to last week's disappointing display at Tallaght Stadium.
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With Darragh Markey still injured, six-goal striker Warren Davis was playing in the No 10 role.
He had one of the few opportunities in the opening half hour but it was a half chance at best.
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Elicha Ahui of Drogheda United celebrates after opening the scoring in the 1-1 draw
He side-footed wide when Mark Connolly's headed clearance fell kindly for him.
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Derry's only real glimpse at goal came via a rapid breakaway. Gavin Whyte and Michael Duffy outnumbered Conor Kane on the counter.
But the Drogs defender beat Whyte in the one-on-one and Duffy was left frustrated.
Referee Kevin O'Sullivan showed three yellow cards inside the first 15 minutes. Derry's Adam O'Reilly and Robbie Benson were booked.
And Thomas Oluwa joined them for leaving an arm in on Connolly.
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Drogheda nearly got another. Ahui dispossessed Duffy deep in the Drogheda half and kept going.
He beat Kevin Holt on the sideline and continued into the area before squaring for Oluwa. The forward set himself but shot wide.
Minutes later, Oluwa saw a header from Kane's cross tipped over by Maher.
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A chance was bound to come Derry's way eventually and one fell to a player who has broken many a Drog heart over the years.
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Patrick Hoban has ten league goals against United to his name but he could not add to it.
In the 90th minute, another sub, Thomas, took aim with a speculative effort that took a wicked deflection off Brennan and deceived Luke Dennison.
The 29-year-old midfielder wheeled away in celebration as Drogs' heads dropped in despair.
SUN STAR MAN
Conor Keeley (Drogheda)
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DROGHEDA UTD: Dennison 6; Ahui 6, Keeley 6, Bolger 6; Lambe 6, Brennan 6, Heeney 6, Kane 6; Davis 6 (Bosakani 88, 6); James-Taylor 6 (Brady 75, 6), Oluwa 6.
DERRY CITY: Maher 6; Cann 6, Connolly 6, Holt 6; Harkin 6 (Mullen 46, 6), O'Reilly 6, Benson 6, Todd 6; Whyte 6 (Thomas 68, 6), Boyce 6 (Hoban 73, 6), Duffy 6 (McMullan 68, 6).
REFEREE: K O'Sullivan (Cork) 7.
