'It is up to us to keep it going': Grounded Darragh Markey not getting carried away

Drogheda United playmaker Markey has been key as the Louth outfit sit at the Premier Division summit.

Darragh Markey of Drogheda United with his SSE Airtricity / SWI Player of the Month Award for March. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

The task for League of Ireland player of the month Darragh Markey and his Drogheda teammates is simple: "Keep it going."

Simple, eh? The 2024 FAI Cup winners' ascent to the summit of the table has been somewhat of a surprise given their lowly league finish last term, but Markey isn't quite ready to declare ambitions of a title charge. 

The competition amongst the Premier Division sides is too stiff for such a sentiment. 

“Our goal is to stay up and the more points we accumulate the better and we might have to re-evaluate our goals later in the year," Markey said.

For now, Markey insists the onus is on himself and his Drogs colleagues to continue their impressive start.

Darragh Markey of Drogheda in action. Pic: James Lawlor/Inpho

“It’s up to us to keep it going now, week-on-week, but we are in a bit of a purple patch at the moment," Markey said. "Our form has been good since we won the Cup at the end of last season, but the confidence has been there all along as well.

"We have managed to retain a lot of the squad from last year and staying up in the top flight has helped as well."

The 27-year-old, who has become just the third Drogs player to win two player of the month gongs, has been a key cog in manager Kevin Doherty's side for some time now. 

The time he has for his boss is clear. 

Darragh Markey of Drogheda United during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Cork City and Drogheda United at Turner's Cross. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

"The gaffer Kevin Doherty has been a huge influence on the club and on me as a player, and I think it’s fair to say, I am enjoying some of the best football of my career,” added the former Cherry Orchard and St Pat’s player who joined Drogheda in 2021.

“I am still combining the football with the day job and I am lucky that my manager at the office is happy to keep me on and I suppose I have the best of both worlds now."

Markey topped the nationwide poll to clinch the monthly award by a single point from Galway United’s Moses Dyer with fellow Tribesman, Killian Brouder, further back in third place.

Also on the shortlist this month were Cork City's Milan Mbeng, Michael Duffy of Derry City and Shelbourne's Kerr McInroy.