Horgan delivers at the death to take derby spoils for Dundalk 

Daryl Horgan of Dundalk celebrates after the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Drogheda United 2-3 Dundalk

Daryl Horgan has more experience of Louth derbies than most. He has won more than most too. His late intervention at Sullivan and Lambe Park ensured he has yet another of those notches under his belt now.

The manner of this victory – Horgan's 89th minute free kick flew into the net right in front of the travelling supporters – will mark this out as just as sweet if not more so than any other for the Dundalk stalwart.

Famously, these games are known for being incident packed and played with a passion, intensity and fight that isn’t always so apparent in non-derby encounters, regardless of whether crucial points are on the line or not.

This game did not disappoint any of the above. Four goals, five yellow cards and points shared. The result leaves Drogheda just five points above Sligo Rovers at the foot of the Premier Division.

Cian Dillon’s early strike – a first Premier Division goal for the former Shamrock Rovers youth player – piled more pressure on Kevin Doherty’s side and more misery on the home supporters, who had come out swinging pre-match. A provocative banner unfurled by the home fans read ‘This is where we fight; this is where they die’.

Dillon’s goal arrived when Edwin Agbaje failed to clear his lines and Darl Horgan stole in, squaring for the 20-year-old to finish. Two goals in three minutes before the break changed the mood and Wee County bragging rights, briefly, to United.

Agbaje drove into Dundalk territory and slipped in Keegan Ancelin to beat Enda Minogue at his near post. Then Brandon Kavanagh lofted a ball towards the back post where it landed inside the upright. If it meant it, it was a special moment.

The Dundalk equaliser came via a substitute, ex-Kerry man Ronan Teahan. Tom Grivosti’s cross from the right was flicked in by the midfielder.

But that didn’t end the scoring. Horgan’s 89th-minute free kick beat Luke Dennison at his near post.

Drogheda United: Dennison; Quinn (Bucknor, 77), Keeley, Bolger; Agbaje, Bates (O’Brien, 70), Farrell (Brennan, 70), Kane; Kavanagh; Doyle (Davis, 73), Ancelin (Oluwa, 77).

Dundalk: Minogue; Grivosti, Animasahun, Vassenin, Burns (Cornwall, 90+1); Groome (Tracey, 56), Buckley (Dervin, 56); Clarke (Teahan, 46), Gaxha (McDaid, 64), Horgan; Dillon.

Referee: Neil Doyle