Drogheda step back from the abyss

DROGHEDA UNITED live to fight another day after the High Court yesterday ruled that the club could be taken out of examinership.

Club chairman Vincent Hoey welcomed the decision which sees the cash-strapped former champions step back from the abyss, even though they still face a battle to retain their Premiership status.

Praising the fans who had raised 300,000 to save the club, Hoey said: “We have been in existence since 1919 and they weren’t going to let it go down. And they haven’t. I am proud today to be associated with that.

“Everybody owns a bit of Drogheda United now. All the people have shown that it is their club, a community asset, a community institution.”

The ruling means Drogheda can now apply for a league licence for the new season, though whether they can retain their top-flight status remains to be seen. The deadline for licence applications is next Monday, but final confirmation of the make-up of the league, which kicks off on March 6, will not be known until the middle of February.

But even if their future remains unclear, Drogheda can now begin the search for a replacement for manager Paul Doolin who left United Park to take over at Cork City.

Doolin’s former assistant on Boyneside, John Carroll, as well as former Dundalk boss John Gill and ex-Shamrock Rovers manager Pat Scully have been linked with the post.

Meanwhile, the proposed transfer of Galway United’s highly rated Jay O’Shea to Derby County has fallen victim to the credit crunch. Even though the clubs had agreed a deal and O’Shea had negotiated personal terms, the Championship side have called off the move, citing a deteriorating financial position at the club.

Said the Under-21 international midfielder: “It’s a disappointment that the transfer did not work out, but at this stage all I want to do is get back playing football. I had a great season with Galway United last year and all attention now turns to making a solid start to the new season and move on from there.”

Galway have further strengthened their ranks with the signing of goalkeeper Barry Ryan from St Pats, after his fellow custodian Gary Rogers had moved in the opposite direction to join up again with his old boss Jeff Kenna.

New Tribesman boss Ian Fostyer welcomed the arrival of Ryan, saying: “Barry is a top class keeper and he is an important signing as we continue to build the side for the new season,” said Foster.

Meanwhile, Waterford United manager Stephen Henderson has secured the services of Alan Carey and re-signed Kenny Browne and Kevin Waters. Carey joins from Cobh Ramblers.