Nine-man Drogs rely on Sava to earn derby draw

Drogheda United 0 Dundalk 0

Nine-man Drogheda United held out for a hard-earned point after a man-of-the-match performance from keeper Gabriel Sava denied Louth neighbours Dundalk a victory at Hunky Dorys Park.

Referee Rob Rogers was centre of attention as he booked Paul Crowley and Eric Foley early in the game for innocuous-looking offences, before reaching for the red card twice in the space of eight minutes in the second half.

The home side had grabbed the early initiative in this first Wee County derby of the season, Philip Hand in particular missing a great chance for the home side while Peter Cherrie had the measure of Gavin Brennan’s piledriver for the visitors.

Another swift attack involving Gavin Brennan and Peter Hynes resulted in a shooting chance for Tiarnan Mulvenna but his effort lacked power and direction and drifted harmlessly wide.

Dundalk’s best opportunity came on the half-hour mark when Stephen McDonnell squared the ball towards Paul Walsh, who seemed reluctant to shoot, and instead teed up Derek Foran, whose powerful drive was blocked by Drogs captain Paul Crowley.

Almost immediately play switched back to the other end where Hynes nodded down Gavin Brennan’s cross into the path of Mulvenna, who just failed to get a decisive touch to divert the ball past Cherrie.

Late in the half Dundalk striker Michael Rafter warmed the gloves of Gabriel Sava in the Drogheda goal with a speculative long-range shot.

After a quiet start to the second half Gavin Brennan mis-hit an attempted volley through to Cherrie, before McDonnell’s angled shot for Dundalk was well held by Sava.

The game really came to life when Drogheda’s Crowley and Foley were both sent off for second bookable offences in quick succession, leaving the home side down to nine men for the final 14 minutes.

But Sava brilliantly clawed away shots by Rafter and Gareth Coughlan and the Boynesiders held out for a hard-earned point.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Sava; Foley, McNally, Prendergast, Grimes; G Brennan, Crowley, R Brennan, Hand (Marshall 58); Mulvenna (D O’Brien 74), Hynes (S Brennan 74).

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Foran, Danville, Burns, Murphy (Coughlan 78); Walsh (Waters 64), Shields, Mountney, McDonnell; Rafter. O’Neill (Reilly 82).

Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin).