Louth Soccer Round-Up: Drogs Stay Unbeaten, Ten-Man Dundalk Hold Firm
Ardee News and Sport – Louth Soccer Round-Up: Drogs Stay Unbeaten, Ten-Man Dundalk Hold Firm
Louth Soccer Round-Up
Drogs and Galway Stay Unbeaten After Sharing Spoils
SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Drogheda United 1-1 Galway United
Drogheda United and Galway United maintained their unbeaten starts to the season after an entertaining draw at Sullivan & Lambe Park.
Ryan Brennan’s first-half goal put Drogheda in prime position to take all three points and move to the summit of the Premier Division. However, Killian Brouder’s second-half equaliser ensured both sides extended their undefeated streaks to three games.
Drogheda had yet to concede a goal this season before Brouder’s intervention, while Galway also remain unbeaten after three rounds. The result was a fair reflection of a closely contested encounter.
Brennan’s goal, arriving just before half-time, was crafted by excellent work from Warren Davis and Shane Farrell. Conor Kane provided a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Brennan headed past Galway goalkeeper Brendan Clarke.
Galway found their equaliser in the 75th minute when Burns delivered a corner to the back post, and Brouder’s effort found the roof of the net. The Tribesmen pushed for a winner late on but could not break Drogheda’s resilience.
Drogheda United Line-Up: Dennison; Quinn, Keeley, Bolger; Lambe (Cooper, 87), Farrell, Brennan (Heeney, 87), Kane; Markey; Bawa (Oluwa, 81), Davis.
Galway United Line-Up: Clarke; Slevin, Brouder, Cunningham; Esua, Hickey, Hurley (Borden, 46), Keohane (Byrne, 46), Burns (Donelon, 81); Walsh (McCarthy, 71), Dyer (Tollett, 58).
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.
Ten-Man Dundalk Hold Off Battling Kerry in Super Contest
SSE Airtricity First Division: Kerry FC 0-1 Dundalk FC
Dundalk remain atop the First Division following a hard-fought 1-0 win against Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park. Despite going down to ten men, the Lilywhites managed to hold off relentless Kerry pressure to secure all three points.
Daryl Horgan was instrumental early on, causing issues for the Kerry defence and narrowly missing the target with a long-range effort. Dundalk took the lead in the 25th minute when Horgan and Dean Ebbe combined, with the latter finishing clinically.
Kerry nearly equalised moments later, but Niall Brookwell blazed over after a Sean O’Connell corner. The home side’s task became harder when former Kerry striker Leo Gaxha received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Brookwell in the 36th minute.
Dundalk squandered opportunities to extend their lead, with Eoin Kenny missing a golden chance before the break. Kerry’s Nathan Gleeson struck the crossbar just before halftime, signaling their intent to push for an equaliser in the second period.
Kerry dominated the second half, with Daniel Okwute and Sean McGrath both going close. Dundalk’s defence, led by Martin Sean McHale, was forced into last-ditch clearances on multiple occasions.
Despite a chaotic final five minutes, with Kerry having multiple shots blocked in quick succession, Dundalk held firm to take home the victory and preserve their place at the top of the table.
Kerry FC Line-Up: Hiemer; Dunne, Williams, McQueen, O’Connell; Brookwell, Mujaguzi, McGrath, Teahan; Gleeson, Okwute.
Subs: Crowe for Mujaguzi (HT), Brosnan for Williams (HT), Palmer for O’Connell (72), Barrett for Dunne (82), Farquharson for McGrath (86).
Dundalk FC Line-Up: Minogue; O’Keeffe, McHale, Leonard, Keogh; Dervin, Groome, Gaxha, Kenny, Horgan, Ebbe.
Subs: Mulligan for Ebbe (52), Ward for Horgan (90).
Referee: Glen Geraghty (Dublin).
Stay tuned for more updates from the Louth soccer scene!