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Date Time League Season
24 June 2022 7:45 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2022

Match Report

Stalemate in Drogheda

Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers couldn’t be separated in a 0-0 stalemate tonight at Head in the Game Park.

The game delivered in terms of pace and flow, but was very dull on the goals and chances front until its dying embers. Sligo looked dangerous for periods in the first-half through the pace of Aidan Keena and Max Mata but Drogheda matched them defensively.

With about 10 minutes left substitute Darragh Markey found Adam Foley inside the box but he scuffed what was a great opportunity wide. Sligo nearly snatched it themselves in the final seconds but Will Fitzgerald struck wide after meeting a dangerous cross.

Drogheda extend their unbeaten run to five games and this time they matched their opponents in every aspect rather than hang on. Sligo will be disappointed not to take three points, but they didn’t necessarily deserve it and the positive is that they remain unbeaten under John Russell.

The sharpness of both sides was evident from the start and with referee Neil Doyle reluctant to use his whistle, the early stages were met by a fast pace. As the first-half progressed the visitors looked that bit sharper, chasing down balls and causing some minor issues through Max Mata’s pace.

Aidan Keena also looked hungry for the Showgrounds outfit and it nearly paid off one occasion. As Dane Massey lost his bearing at his own goalmouth, Keena nipped possession but Evan Weir was there to sweep up.

Weir once again put in an excellent performance in the unfamiliar position of centre-back and his stature in the squad continues to grow. At the other end Drogheda struggled however as Dean Williams ran tirelessly up top but lacked support.

Will Fitzgerald broke in on goal straight into the second-half but Luke Heeney’s last ditch tackle ruled out an opener. It looked as though the half would burst into life but the game entered a lull for the next 20 minutes or so.

As Kevin Doherty introduced Darragh Markey and Chris Lyons, some friction started to appear in the game. With 10 minutes to go Markey found Adam Foley in the box in space but he scuffed a great chance into the ground.

A late burst of energy from Drogheda then caught the Bit O’Red off guard and they were forced to foul on numerous occasions. Drogheda went close with a Massey header but couldn’t find the goal despite all their pressure.

The home crowd then held their breath as Fitzgerald struck just wide in the six-yard box right at the death. It was an intense contest and one that flowed effortlessly, but neither side could find the net so the teams settled for a point each.

Drogheda Utd

1Colin McCabe Goalkeeper
3Evan Weir Defender
4Andrew Quinn Defender
8Gary Deegan Midfielder
14Dane Massey Defender
16Dayle Rooney 7 Midfielder
17Dean Williams 9 Forward
19Ryan Brennan Midfielder
21Luke Heeney Midfielder 60'
22James Clarke 11 Midfielder
24Darragh Nugent Midfielder
12Aaron Davis Goalkeeper
5Keith Cowan Defender
7Darragh Markey 16 Midfielder
9Chris Lyons 17 Forward
11Adam Foley 22 Forward
18Charles Mutawe Defender
25Dylan Molloy Defender
26George Poynton Midfielder
28Evan Haddock Defender

Sligo Rovers

1Ed McGinty Goalkeeper
2Lewis Banks Defender 38'
3Colm Horgan Defender 88'
4Shane Blaney Defender
7Will Fitzgerald Midfielder
8Niall Morahan 22 Midfielder
9Aidan Keena Forward
14Karl O’Sullivan 25 Forward
17Adam McDonnell Midfielder
19Paddy Kirk Defender
27Max Mata Forward
30Richard Brush Goalkeeper
5Robbie McCourt Defender
11Seamas Keogh Midfielder
12Mark Byrne Midfielder
22David Cawley 8 Midfielder
25Cillian Heaney 14 Forward
33Peter Maguire Defender
41Eanna Clancy Defender
  • Fitzgerald almost snatches it for Sligo but the referee blows his whistle and it finishes in a nil-nil stalemate here at Head in the Game Park

  • 88'

    Massey went close with a header from that free. Colm Horgan booked afterwards as Sligo try and break up a late flurry from the hosts

  • 86'

    Drogs with some late pressure now and look capable of snatching it. Markey stands over a free in a dangerous area now

  • 80'

    Markey turns his man and feeds in Foley for a great chance but he scuffs his effort wide.

  • 74'

    Kevin Doherty brings Chris Lyons on in place of Williams

  • 70'

    Double sub once again. For the hosts Darragh Markey is on for Dayle Rooney while Sligo replace Karl O'Sullivan with Cillian Heaney

  • 66'

    Mata with a header that worries the home fans but travels over and wide

  • 65'

    Nugent with a decent effort from long-range but Ed McGinty is equal to it

  • 63'

    Niall Morahan comes off after a head injury. David Cawley prepares to come on for John Russell's men. Drogheda also make a change as Adam Foley replaces James Clarke

  • 60'

    Heeney booked

  • 58'

    Mata is ok and returns to the fray. Meanwhile the two sides remain very even in all aspects of the game

  • 54'

    Mata down currently feeling his head

  • 50'

    Fitzgerald sees the biggest opportunity so far for the travelling side as he breaks through after a sloppy touch from Andrew Quinn. Luke Heeney makes some really good ground though and puts in a last-ditch tackle to prevent a goal

  • 48'

    An inviting Darragh Nugent cross almost finds William's but its not to be

  • Back underway here

  • Half-time here and it remains nil-nil between Drogheda and Sligo

  • 41'

    Weir, naturally a left-back, is having another strong game at centre-half this season

  • 38'

    Banks gets a yellow for coming into the back of Dean Williams. Perhaps the fouls will flow now

  • 36'

    Drogheda receive a free-kick which have been a rarity in general here. The referee letting the game run to a noticeable degree

  • 34'

    This one is enduring a bit of a lull currently. The home team starting to look a bit brighter though

  • 25'

    A sensational crossfield ball finds Keena in behind who threatens but can only win a corner. A Lewis Banks headers comes out of the corner and almost finds the net. Both sides opting to get in behind with long balls so far.

  • 17'

    Max Mata is showing his pace playing on the shoulder for Sligo. He finds some space down the left after a determined run but mishits the resulting cross

  • 15'

    The Bit O\'Red go close again. Dane Massey loses his bearings near his own goal as Keena chases him down and dispossesses him but Evan Weir is there to sweep up

  • 10'

    A dangerous Will Fitzgerald cross almost finds Max Mata but he can't quite get there. Good play from the visitors

  • 9'

    These two looking very evenly matched so far with 10 gone

  • 8'

    Aidan Keena with the game's first effort as his dipping volley goes harmlessly wide

  • 3'

    No early chances as of yet but both sides look really up for it and are playing at a high intensity

  • And we're off in Louth

  • Sligo team news: Colm Horgan replaces the injured Garry Buckley. Adam McDonnell starts seeing David Cawley drop down to the bench. Nando Pijnacker and Greg Bolger miss out with illness

  • Drogheda team news: Luke Heeney and Gary Deegan return from suspension and start. Chris Lyons is on the bench along with academy players Evan Haddock and Dylan Molloy.

  • Drogheda look to continue their good form in their first home fixture since the mid-season break as they come off the back of another hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Derry. Sligo sailed past rivals Finn Harps last week and so they'll be confident on making it a second win under John Russell

  • Con Sheehan here reporting from Head in the Game Park as Drogheda United prepare to take on Sligo Rovers in the Premier Division. Kick-off is 7:45 pm

Past Meetings

(Round 12)
3 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United

(Round 5)
0 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers

(Series 33)
2 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United

(Series 26)
0 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers

(Series 15)
1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United

(Series 8)
1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers

0 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

4
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC

3 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC

1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC 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