Drogs earn valuable point in battle against the drop, Galway stay in European spot contention
Shane Farrell of Drogheda United in action against Vincent Borden of Galway United. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
A point away at Drogheda United keeps Galway United in contention for European qualification in 2025, just a year after their return to the Premier Division following six years away.
The draw however, the second scoreless encounter between the sides this season, does more for Drogheda in their battle against the drop. They now hold a five point cushion over bottom side Dundak — with the same number of games to play.
Given Drogheda’s struggles against the Tribesmen this term, they will take decidedly more pleasure in the low key nature of this game, the clean sheet and the point.
John Caulfield made two changes to the side that beat league leaders Shelbourne on Friday evening. Rob Slevin and David Hurley were the players introduced to add some freshness to the team in their second match in 72 hours. Colm Horgan and Ed McCarthy dropped out.
Galway’s aspirations of a return to the European stage after 34 years away remain on course. They’re very much in the mix as the season nears its end, despite Shamrock Rovers’ late winner at Tallaght Stadium.
However, having accounted for Derry City and Shels in recent weeks, they will have arrived at United Park in confident mood but wary still of United’s formidable recent home record.
Kevin Doherty’s side are rarely beaten at home and this stalemate can be added to the list of home matches that have put points on the board this season. Last Friday’s match was United’s first away win in just shy of a year.
Without their home form to hang their hat on, it doesn’t bear to think for Drogheda fans where they might be at this point in the season. Instead, they are five points ahead of Dundalk now and a promotion-relegation play-off looks likely now.
Unlike his counterpart, Kevin Doherty decided to name an unchanged team from Drogheda’s backs-to-the-wall victory over Bohemians. It was a risky move given the quick turnaround between games. However, the Drogheda manager has landed on a starting XI that he trusts in a system that is bringing out the best of many within it.
Frantz Pierrot, the in-form striker, had United’s best chance of the game. That arrived in the first half when his header from a Shane Farrell delivery was straight at Brendan Clarke. With no defender in close proximity, the Haitian international should have done better.
The visitors had the better of the chances. Patrick Hickey was denied by a fine intervention from Elicha Ahui. The American midfielder then had a header come off the upright after a short corner routine involving David Hurley and Killian Brouder.
Centre halves Brouder and Garry Buckley headed wide and over the bar respectively from set pieces as Galway stepped it up in the second half. It was them and not Drogheda, who have been so free scoring of late, who looked the more likely to snatch victory.
They managed an onslaught of sorts towards the end of the game but Drogheda stood tall, with goalkeeper Luke Dennison particularly impressive in dealing with the aerial threat sent in his direction.
Dennison; Quinn, Webster, Bolger; Ahui, Brennan, Farrell, Kane; Markey (Heeney, 68); James-Taylor (Foley, 90+2), Pierrot.
Clarke; Slevin (McCarthy, 69), Buckley, Brouder; Keohane, McCormack, Hurley, Borden (Horgan, 69), Cunningham; Hickey; Walsh (Lomboto, 80).
Gavin Colfer
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