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Details

Date Time League Season
4 March 2022 7:45 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2022

Match Report

First win of campaign for Drogheda

Drogheda United grabbed their first win of the season tonight in an entertaining 4-2 victory over UCD at Head in the Game Park.

The first half treated the sold out crowd to three goals from the hosts, the first a screamer from Gary Deegan, followed by a delightful Chris Lyons double.

Sam Todd got one back for the Students, before Dean Williams gave the Drogs a fourth on the hour. Liam Kerrigan then made it 4-2 late on but Drogheda saw out the win.

The tickets for the game were free but the quality on the pitch was worth much more and this one was a great watch. The hosts were relatively comfortable and will be relieved to get off the mark.

Drogheda could have been disheartened when Dean Williams scuffed a golden chance from close range early on.

However they continued on in good vain and Deegan’s rocket from the edge of the area 20 minutes in gave them a deserved lead.

George Poynton was a menace with direct runs down the right and Williams and Lyons were complimentary as ever up top. A much more fluid performance in attack was key to the home dominance.

Lyons added the second on 23 minutes with a brilliantly curling effort from the edge using his low centre of gravity to fend of defenders in the process.  He poached his double at the back post from a Poynton cross just before the break.

UCD were brighter in the first half stemming from Sam Todd’s converted header from a corner on 55 minutes. Dean Williams rectified this however drilling a shot into the corner from a Darragh Markey setup on the hour.

From here it felt like the Louth side were too strong. Liam Kerrigan scored a looping effort from distance with 10 to go when Colin McCabe bizarrely came out of his goal from a set piece leaving behind an empty net.

Kevin Doherty’s men will be frustrated with no clean sheet but only to an extent, their main emotion being relief. Andy Meyler will have to motivate the Students to go again.

Drogheda Utd

1Colin McCabe Goalkeeper
2Sean Roughan 5 Defender
3Evan Weir Defender
7Darragh Markey 16 Midfielder
8Gary Deegan Midfielder 20'
81'
9Chris Lyons Forward 23', 43'
14Dane Massey Defender
17Dean Williams Forward 65'
22James Clarke 24 Midfielder
26George Poynton Midfielder
45Mark Hughes Midfielder
12Aaron Davis Goalkeeper
4Andrew Quinn Defender
5Keith Cowan 2 Defender
15Mohamed Boudiaf Defender
16Dayle Rooney 7 Midfielder
18Charles Mutawe Defender
24Darragh Nugent 22 Midfielder
25Killian Cailloce Forward
28Evan Haddock Defender

UCD AFC

1Lorcan Healy Goalkeeper
3Evan Osam Defender
6Jack Keaney Midfielder
7Liam Kerrigan Midfielder 82'
9Evan Caffrey 12 Forward
10Colm Whelan Forward
11Dylan Duffy 25 Midfielder
22Sam Todd Defender 55'
23Adam Verdon 18 Midfielder
26John Ryan Midfielder
29Eric Yoro Defender
16Kian Moore Goalkeeper
2Michael Gallagher Defender
5Luke Boore Defender
12Adam Lennon 9 Midfielder
15Alex Dunne Defender
18Donal Higgins 23 Midfielder
25Daniel Norris 11 Forward
27Tommy Lonergan Midfielder
30Alex Nolan Midfielder
  • Full-Time here at Head in the Game Park. It finishes Drogheda 4-2 UCD

  • 82'

    From the resulting set piece, Colin McCabe comes bizarrely off his line leaving Kerrigan to find the empty net with a looping shot from distance

  • 81'

    Deegan booked for a high challenge in the middle of the park

  • 76'

    Dayle Rooney replaces Markey

  • 75'

    Adam Lennon is subbed on for Caffrey

  • 70'

    Keith Cowan comes on for the Drogs' Sean Roughan who put in an excellent display at the back

  • 65'

    Just as UCD were finding some good play, the Louth side get their fourth. Dean Williams rifled it into the bottom corner from Darragh Markey's pass to grab a well deserved first goal for the club

  • 60'

    Darragh Nugent replaces James Clarke on the hour for Drogheda

  • 55'

    Sam Todd pulls one back for UCD, heading in from a corner against the run of play

  • 52'

    A scramble in the six yard box following a corner almost sees the Drogs get a fourth, but Eric Yoro eventually got rid of it

  • 49'

    First big chance for the Students as Evan Caffrey side foots an effort just wide of the post

  • 45'

    Danny Norris and Donal Higgins replace Adam Verdon and Dylan Duffy for the trailing Dubliners. Second half begins

  • 2-0 to the home team at the interval

  • 43'

    It was only a matter of time before one of Poynton's crosses created a goal. He delivers well from the right to find an unmarked Lyons at the back post. Lyons tapped home to get his second

  • 40'

    No new chances of note approaching the break. The Claret and Blue remain in control and look like adding

  • 30'

    Lyons goes close again. He blazes an effort just over from the edge of the area after breaking clear of the Students' defence.

  • 23'

    It's a show of screamers here in Louth. Lyons turns on the edge of the box and beautifully curls one into the same corner that Deegan put his. 2-0

  • 20'

    An absolute rocket from Gary Deegan has given the Drogs the advantage. The ball rolled back perfectly for him on the edge and he leathered it into the top left. Deserved lead

  • 16'

    A brilliant piece of play almost saw Kevin Doherty's side take the lead again. Williams flicked it along the channel to Chris Lyons who then brilliantly worked a cross but UCD got it clear

  • 10'

    The Drogs finding their rhythm now and look very fluid in attack. Poynton is causing UCD numerous problems on the right flank

  • 8'

    On his third appearance Dean Williams misses a golden chance for the hosts as he scuffs it straight at Lorcan Healy from close range

  • 5'

    Bright start from the visitors who are already combining nicely in the Drogheda half

  • 1'

    Drogheda get us underway here in Louth

  • UCD team news: Sean Brennan and Mark Dignam are out and are replaced by Dylan Duffy and Evan Caffrey

  • Drogheda team news: Luke Heeney and the returned Ryan Brennan remain out injured. Darragh Nugent is back in the squad and George Poynton gets the start after impressing in recent games

  • Both sides are chasing their first win of the season and Drogheda have made match tickets for the game free

  • Con Sheehan here reporting from a sold out Head in the Game Park as Drogheda face UCD. Kick-off in half an hour!

Past Meetings

(Series 12)
1 - 3
LOI Men's First Division
UCD Bowl

University College Dublin AFC v Drogheda United

(Series 3)
5 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United v University College Dublin AFC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Drogheda United FC

4
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v UCD AFC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Drogheda United FC

Ground

Weavers Park
United Park, Cross Lane, Fair Gate, The Borough District of Drogheda, County Louth, Leinster, A92DKR0, Ireland

21 year old sports journalist from Drogheda. Student at Dublin City University. Drogheda United Correspondent for FinalWhistle.ie