0 v 7 
Drogheda UtdDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May 2021 | 6:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Seventh heaven for United against young Waterford
Waterford’s Under 19 squad fell to a 7-0 thrashing at home to Drogheda United, courtesy of braces from Chris Lyons and Dane Massey, with further goals from Darragh Markey, Mark Doyle and Killian Phillips.
Former co-managers Kevin Sheedy and Mike Newell departed the club earlier this week and the Blues were made to name an academy side for this matchup, due to the squad’s close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case.
Despite an encouraging and hard-working display from Waterford’s youngsters, they were up against it from the off, and it didn’t take long for the floodgates to open wide.
The Blues youthful backline lasted until the 17th minute before Drogheda broke the deadlock through a sublime solo effort from Markey, as he glided through the defence and stayed cool and composed in front of goal.
United’s lead was doubled six minutes later, as Doyle made it two with a great finish for his fourth of the campaign; after being picked out from a free kick to slot home.
Three minutes later, and the game was all but over, as Drogheda added a third through Massey who was picked out by a good delivery from Doyle.
After 39 minutes, the away side led 4-0 as Lyons scored after being assisted by a clever ball by James Browne, who picked up his fourth assist of the season.
On the stroke of half time, Drogheda won a penalty as Sam Morrissey fouled Lyons, who cleverly used his low centre of gravity to win the spot kick.
Lyons made no mistake from the spot and scored his second of the night with a powerful finish past the helpless Kyle Cooke in the Waterford goal.
Massey then found the net for the second time in this match, through a spectacular half volley at the back post, after being picked out by Gary Deegan.
Phillips then ended the rout to make it seven three minutes from time, as he scored from close range following a corner.
This result means Drogheda move up to fifth on 13 points, whilst Waterford lie at the foot of the table in tenth on six points.
Timeline
| 17' | 7. Darragh Markey | |
| 23' | Mark Doyle | |
| 26' | 14. Dane Massey | |
| Jamie Lee Paul Omotosho | 38' | |
| 38' | 9. Chris Lyons | |
| 45' | 9. Chris Lyons | |
| Ivan Homoki Michael Quinlan | 55' | |
| 60' | Mark Doyle Brandon Bermingham | |
| 60' | Chris Lyons Jordan Adeyemo | |
| 60' | Jake Hyland James Clarke | |
| 65' | James Browne Charles Mutawe | |
| 76' | 14. Dane Massey | |
| 87' | 8. Killian Phillips |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 1)
1 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v Waterford |
Ground
| Regional Sports Centre |
|---|
| Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Inner Ring Road, Kilbarry, Waterford, County Waterford, Munster, X91 KT29, Ireland |
Ben Jaycock
I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.
Full time: Waterford 0-7 Drogheda United, match report to follow shortly. Thanks for joining us!
There'll be two additional minutes played.
GOAL! Killian Phillips makes it seven from a corner after Massey flicks the corner on and Phillips taps home from close range to make it seven and the least Drogheda deserve for their dominance.
O'Reilly hits the crossbar from a corner and produces a wonderful save by Cooke who was able to stretch to flick the ball onto the upright and avoid a seventh goal conceded.
GOAL! Massey gets his second through a spectacular half volley at the back post after being picked out by Degan.
Drogheda substitute Brandon Bermingham goes through one on one but only finds the side netting. The game is in a bit of a lull, with the result a forgone conclusion and both sides seem to be biding their time as we creep towards the full time whistle. Numerous substitutions and a change in tempo has really taken the sting out of the game.
Drogheda haven't been anywhere near as potent in this second half and are yet to test Cooke's goal in this period, which has to be seen as a minor plus for this youthful Waterford side.
The one way traffic continues and it seems Waterford are playing damage limitation to stop the scoreline from becoming a cricket score.
Back underway in the second half.
Half time: Waterford 0-5 Drogheda United
GOAL! Chris Lyons scores the penalty by powering the ball past Cooke to make it five.
Penalty to Drogheda as Sam Morrissey fouls Chris Lyons who uses his low centre of gravity to win the pen.
GOAL! Well worked goal from Drogheda and Chris Lyons makes it four after being picked out by James Browne who picks up his fourth assist of the season.
The corner comes to nothing and Waterford desperately need some possession and territory as it's all one way traffic here.
Hyland produces a long range effort that forces a decent save from Cooke that goes out for a corner.
Real men against boys stuff here I'm afraid, hopefully the Waterford players keep their heads up and don't let the scoreline become embarrasing.
GOAL! Drogheda make it three through Dane Massey after being found by a good ball from Doyle.
GOAL! Mark Doyle makes it two with a great finish for his fourth of the campaign after being picked out from a free kick.
GOAL! Darragh Markey with a sublime solo effort as he glided through the youthful Waterford backline and stay cool and composed in front of goal to break the deadlock.
Drogheda hit the post as Doyle hits the upright after being picked out by a brilliant ball by Hyland and the striker should have scored.
The ball in is a good one and is headed out by O'Reilly for a throw.
Free kick to Waterford in a threatening position.
Early Drogheda corner is dealt with comfortably by the Waterford defence.
We're underway
Today is a huge test for Waterford's U-19 side against a vastly experienced Drogheda side but the pressure is off and they'll be hungry to give their all and cause an unlikely upset.
Despite manager Tim Clancy claiming his side ‘never got out of first gear’, they come into the game off the back of a 1-all draw at home to Bohemians, as James Clarke’s 93rd minute equaliser rescued United a point after Liam Burt’s opener.
Newly promoted Drogheda have impressed on their return to the top-flight as they sit mid table in fifth position on 10 points. After a strong start to the season, their progress has been halted as they are without a win in five games but will see tonight as the ideal chance to get back to winning ways.
Waterford come into the game off the back of a 3-0 away thrashing to Shamrock Rovers, in which they were completely outclassed and outplayed, leaving Geoghegan with a difficult task of keeping them in the division.
They have picked up just six points from a maximum 27, securing just two wins all season and goals have been hard to come by, with the Blues finding the back of the net a league low five times.
It comes in a week where their Senior management of Kevin Sheedy and Mike Newell departed by mutual consent. Thus Sheedy’s brief and eventful time as manager drew to a close.
The hosts have endured a miserable campaign thus far, and due to close contacts with a confirmed Covid-19 case, they will field their Under 19 squad.
The weather in Waterford is currently 13 degrees Celsius, with a small chance of rain and a strong wind.
Hello and welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of tonight's League of Ireland Premier Division match between Waterford and Drogheda United at RSC Waterford stadium.