Derry seek to consolidate lead, but Drogheda have it all to do

AFTER thumping Gretna 5-1 in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie, Derry City may have both feet in the door of the UEFA Cup first round ahead of the second leg in the Brandywell tonight (k.o. 7.30pm) but for Drogheda United there is much more to do if they are to join big guns like Spurs, Rangers, West Ham and holders Seville in tomorrow’s draw.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Norway, the FAI Cup holders host IK Start in Dalymount Park this evening (k.o. 7. 45pm) knowing that they must walk a tightrope between having to chase the tie and not conceding what could be a decisive away goal.“We know it’s not going to be easy,” says Drogheda boss Paul Doolin, “but I thought we had some good passages of play in Norway and might even have nicked a draw. I think it will be a little bit cagey tonight — we can’t afford to go out with a General Custer attitude and just charge forward.”

Drogheda go into the game without ineligible striker Declan O’ Brien and the suspended Brian Shelley, while IK Start could make one or two changes from the side which gave them an edge in the first leg.