Video
Details
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.
Timeline
38' | 2. Lewis Banks | |
21. Luke Heeney | 60' | |
James Clarke Adam Foley | 63' | |
63' | Niall Morahan David Cawley | |
Dayle Rooney Darragh Markey | 70' | |
70' | Karl O'Sullivan Cillian Heaney | |
Dean Williams Chris Lyons | 74' | |
88' | 21. Colm Horgan |
Past Meetings
(Round 12)
3 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United |
(Round 5)
0 - 3LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers |
(Series 33)
2 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United |
(Series 26)
0 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers |
(Series 15)
1 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United |
(Series 8)
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers |
0 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC |
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC |
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC |
4LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC |
2LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC |
3 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC |
2LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC |
1 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United FC v Sligo Rovers FC |
1 - 1LOI 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 |
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
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
Drogs with some late pressure now and look capable of snatching it. Markey stands over a free in a dangerous area now
Markey turns his man and feeds in Foley for a great chance but he scuffs his effort wide.
Kevin Doherty brings Chris Lyons on in place of Williams
Double sub once again. For the hosts Darragh Markey is on for Dayle Rooney while Sligo replace Karl O'Sullivan with Cillian Heaney
Mata with a header that worries the home fans but travels over and wide
Nugent with a decent effort from long-range but Ed McGinty is equal to it
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
Heeney booked
Mata is ok and returns to the fray. Meanwhile the two sides remain very even in all aspects of the game
Mata down currently feeling his head
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
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
Weir, naturally a left-back, is having another strong game at centre-half this season
Banks gets a yellow for coming into the back of Dean Williams. Perhaps the fouls will flow now
Drogheda receive a free-kick which have been a rarity in general here. The referee letting the game run to a noticeable degree
This one is enduring a bit of a lull currently. The home team starting to look a bit brighter though
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.
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
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
A dangerous Will Fitzgerald cross almost finds Max Mata but he can't quite get there. Good play from the visitors
These two looking very evenly matched so far with 10 gone
Aidan Keena with the game's first effort as his dipping volley goes harmlessly wide
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