FULL TIME: Dundalk remain part of the chasing pack for the European spots as well as claiming a 100% league record over Drogheda United this season with a 3-1 victory in the Louth derby. Despite going a goal down with Kyle Robinson landing the first blow for the Drogs, the Lilywhites responded with three goals with Paul Doyle, Daniel Kelly and Patrick Hoban showing a killer instinct to ensure more of the bragging rights for County Louth.

SUB: Senan Mullen replaces Patrick Hoban.

ATTENDANCE: 2,827 in Oriel tonight

O'KANE: Ryan makes an instant impression breaking down the right and cutting into the area but his final touch to Hoban was too heavy, he really is a special talent in the making.

Double change by Dundalk as Lewis and Martin come in for Doyle and Horgan. Both have scored against Drogheda before - Martin a 91st minute winner here in the last Louth Derby at Oriel and Lewis, who turned 24 yesterday, also scored against them 2 years ago this weekend on October 1st 2021 Lewis when he hit a 94th minute winner as St Pat’s won 1-0 at Head in the Game Park.

GOAL: Dundalk add a third as a corner sent to the back post is met by Hoban who slams it past Wogan.

OFF THE BAR: Once again - it would have been easier to score. Drogheda have an great chance to level but Kyle Robinson's effort cannons off the crossbar when it looked easier to score.

SUB: Sam Durrant comes off for Ryan O\'Kane and Yli Kokko comes off for Hayden Muller.

SUB: Drogheda looking to the bench with Warren Davis coming on for Darragh Markey.

CHANCE: What a chance for Dundalk, they are getting so much joy down the right and another cross into the area is nearly met by Horgan but it just evades him!

OFF THE LINE: Dundalk break down the right and the cross was sent in and it was just waiting for the vital touch but it was cleared off the line.

GOAL: Right from the kick off Archie Davies on the right sends in a low ball to the near post and Daniel Kelly slams it past Wogan to put Dundalk into the lead.

SECOND HALF: We are back underway for the second half, Dundalk restart proceedings.

HALF TIME: Drogheda struck first with a fine goal from Kyle Robinson but Paul Doyle has levelled matters for the Lilywhites.

CHANCE: Drogheda nearly add a second as Robinson breaks free again, he rounds Sheppard but didn't get a shot as his effort went too wide. The ball goes wide for a corner which is eventually cleared.

Five added minutes here at Oriel Park.

GOAL: What a strike from Paul Doyle! Dundalk from a corner see thier inital attempt from Sloggett cleared off the line but it falls to Doyle who strikes it low first time and it flies past Wogan. All level here!

CHANCE: A let-off for Drogheda as Wogan and Egan collide coming to meet Archie Davies' cross with the ball spinning out for a corner which they do well to clear.

YELLOW:It's been quite the first half for Robinson, a goal and now a caution.

PRESS: Both sides are pressing at the moment with Dundalk looking to get back into this game. Drogheda looking to impose on Dundalk's high press which sees them stretched on the counter.

GOAL: Drogheda take the lead! Robinson latches onto a defense splitting pass and he is cool to slot the ball under Sheppard to give the away side the lead. Dundalk have been dominant for the opening period and find themselves behind!

OFF THE POST: What a chance for Drogheda, Foley broke the offside trap and struck a low effort that clipped the post and out. That sent a collective groan around the ground.

CHANCE: It was harder to miss! Hoban's clever flick to Kelly to chipped it across the goal and Sam Durrant somehow hooks it over! So close to the opening goal.

SUB: Drogheda have been forced to make a sub with Kyle Robinson coming on for Ryan Brennan, it seems Brennan and Sloggett clashed off the ball with Brennan coming off the worst.

DOYLE: Paul Doyle with some excellent defending making sure that Markey firstly doesn't get a path to the goal, takes the ball off him and nutmegs him in the same motion.

HALTED: The game was halted for a few moments due to a crowd issue - the game has resumed with a corner for Dundalk struck towards Hoban but it is cleared at the back post.

CHANCE: Paul Doyle picks the ball up and sees the play open up so he has a shot from range that just goes over.

CHANCE: A good passage of play for Dundalk as a cross from Durrant to Kelly flashes across the face of goal with Yli Kokko set to pull the trigger only with a last minute intervention.

Both sides have had runs towards the respective goals but no clear chances of note - Dundalk looking slightly more composed than the visitors and it looks as if Daniel Kelly is going to enjoy this one.

KICK OFF: We are underway at Oriel Park, Drogheda kick off proceedings under a thick smoke of flares and lights.

TEAM ARRIVALS: Here we go! The 175th meeting of Louth Derby players is on and they have taken to the pitch - Dundalk in black and white and the Drogs in claret and blue. League positions don't count, this is all about the bragging rights for the county. A county that has always been divided between 'us and them' 34km kilometres seperate the two towns but it's a traditional divide that is driven more than just football. Here we go!

HORGAN: Daryl Horgan plays the 500th club match of his career tonight. He has 5 goals in 12 previous appearances against Drogheda – the last of which came in the 6-0 win against them here on September 18th 2015. He had also scored in the 7-0 win in 2014 and 3 times for Cork – twice in 2012 – and a 1-0 winner at Turner’s Cross in June 2013.

This week the club celebrated 120 years since the club was formed as G.N.R. - safe to say there was been plenty of action at the club in that time. Plenty of highs and plenty of lows.

MARTIN 100: John Martin's late header against Cork City here on Friday night was the 100th league goal scored by Dundalk under Stephen O'Donnell

MONDAY: Dundalk’s 5-0 win over Cork City on Monday means they have scored 33 goals at home in 16 matches so far this season. This is the joint highest tally in the league alongside Shamrock Rovers, although the Hoops have played one less game at Tallaght Stadium thus far. Unfortunately only UCD (31) have conceded more goals at home this season than Dundalk (21).

IN THE PAST: Dundalk last played on this day in 2019 when Michael Duffy scored an 89th minute winner away to Sligo Rovers to help Dundalk into their fifth FAI Cup final in-a-row.

KILLER IN TALLAGHT: Dundalk were also in Europa League action on this day 7 years ago with Ciaran Kilduff’s 72nd minute goal on his birthday helping Stephen Kenny’s side to an historic 1-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in Tallaght Stadium – a result that saw the Lilywhites become the first Irish club to win a group stage game in Europe. Daryl Horgan, who starts tonight, supplied the assist that day. Robbie Benson was also a starter.

BIG KEV: Tonight is Kevin Doherty’s 12th time managing against Dundalk. His only two wins came in the two games at Weavers Park last season, with 0 draws and 9 defeats from the other matches – 4 of them coming during his time in charge of Shelbourne.

LOUTH DERBY: Of the last 20 games between the sides in all competitions, Dundalk have won 16 of them on an aggregate scoreline of 50-12. The exceptions were the two 1-0 defeats at Head in the Game Park last season, a 1-1 draw at United Park in August 2014 and the 2-1 victory for Drogheda at Oriel Park in August 2021 courtesy of Mark Doyle’s double.

LOUTH DERBY: Drogheda are the only side Dundalk have a 100% record against this season with 3 wins to date - all by the narrowest of margins.

LOUTH DERBY: It’s Stephen O’Donnell’s 11th time managing against Drogheda Utd tonight. He has won seven and lost three of the previous ten meetings, including two 1-0 defeats at Weavers Park last season. His other defeat against the Boynesiders also came in Drogheda in May 2021 when Drogheda were 3-1 winners against his St Patrick’s Athletic side with Dane Massey, Mark Doyle and Jordan Adeyemo on target.

LOUTH DERBY: It’s the 175th Louth Derby match tonight. Dundalk have won 96, Drogheda have won 38 while there have been 40 draws. It’s the 105th league meeting between the Louth rivals. Dundalk have won 58, Drogheda 21, while there have been 25 draws.

TEAM NEWS: Stephen O'Donnell has made two changes to the side which beat Cork City 5-0 here on Monday with Robbie Benson returning from suspension and Daniel Kelly returning to the side. Goalscorers from Monday, Hayden Muller and John Martin drop out to the bench Keith Ward is back on the bench

Good Evening from Oriel Park - it's been a minute! Ciaran Callan here to take you through tonights action of the big one - the Louth derby!