Dundalk 1 Drogheda 2:THE FINAL unbeaten home record came to an end last night as Drogheda United pulled off a shock win against Dundalk in the Louth derby at Oriel Park.
The visitors named former Dundalk player Tiernan Mulvenna in their starting line-up and he almost silenced the Oriel Park faithful in the sixth minute, forcing Lilywhites goalkeeper Peter Cherrie into a save low down to his right.
Drogheda United thought they had pulled ahead in the 20th minute. Dinny Corcoran pounced on a slack header from Ross Gaynor to fire a half volley towards goal. Cherrie managed to parry the effort but the ball bounced back and looked to have crossed the line. Thankfully for Dundalk, assistant Rhona Daly’s flag stayed down.
Mick Cooke’s men were growing in confidence and they did finally edge in front four minutes later. Philip Hand’s floated free-kick tempted Cherrie from his line but the Scottish goalkeeper was beaten to the punch by Corcoran who glanced the ball home.
Dundalk huffed and puffed without getting any real momentum going. They had a shout for a penalty waved away after 45 minutes when Marc Griffin went down under a Viktor Ekanem challenge and Steven Trimble then held on to a first-time effort from the youngster.
Hand put Drogheda firmly in the driving seat with a stunning free-kick in the 47th minute and although Daniel Kearns set up a grandstand finish with a close-range effort in the 85th minute, Drogheda held on for the win.
DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, Hawkins, Guthrie (Breen 86), Gaynor; Kearns, Bennett (Duffy 89), Bolger, Ward (N Murphy 34), Quigley; Griffin.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Trimble; Nolan (Thompson 90), McNally, Ekanem, Hand; OBrien, Gannon, Quigley, Freeman; Corcoran, Mulvenna (Hanaphy 70).
Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin).
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