Ardee Interest High as Drogheda Snatch Point in Derby
By ArdeePost Reporter
There was huge interest in Ardee and across Mid-Louth on Friday night as Drogheda United rescued a dramatic late draw in a fiery Louth derby against Dundalk at Oriel Park.
In a contest that had everything — flares, controversy, political undertones and a dramatic equaliser — it finished Dundalk 1 Drogheda United 1, with the Boynesiders striking in the dying minutes to silence the home crowd.
Late Drama Settles Fiery Contest
Just when it looked like Dundalk would see out the game and celebrate in style on their upgraded home surface, Drogheda United struck with two minutes remaining.
A delivery launched into the Dundalk box caused chaos. As Conor Kearns came to collect, Conor Keeley timed his leap perfectly and, staying on the right side of the law, forced the ball over the line. The away end erupted, while Kearns stormed straight down the tunnel at full-time, furious at the concession for the second successive Friday night.
For Dundalk, it was a painful blow. For Drogheda, it was a valuable point at the end of what has been a challenging week both on and off the pitch.
Flares and Fallout Likely in FAI Review
The match will not be remembered solely for the football. A double-figure number of flares were thrown from the away end before kick-off, leaving visible burn marks on Dundalk’s brand new playing surface.
There was still smoke lingering by the touchline when the game began, and the damage to the pitch — both before the match and after Drogheda’s equaliser — is likely to form part of any post-match review.
Future ticket allocations for this fixture could potentially be influenced by the outcome of investigations.
New Era at Oriel Park
The derby came in a week when Dundalk’s upgraded facilities were officially opened, with Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan present to mark the occasion.
Significant State funding enabled the relaying of a new surface and installation of floodlights, ensuring Dundalk met licensing requirements for Premier Division football.
After months of uncertainty during the winter, Oriel Park was packed with 3,819 supporters and generated a febrile atmosphere befitting one of the League of Ireland’s most intense rivalries.
Tensions Off the Pitch
The build-up to the game was also shaped by off-field controversy. Dundalk supporters unveiled a banner accusing their opponents of being supportive of genocide — a pointed reference to recent comments made by Drogheda co-chairperson Joanna Byrne regarding Ireland and Israel’s proposed Nations League fixtures.
Byrne has received strong backing from sections of the Drogheda fanbase, and Palestinian flags displayed in the away section suggested that while there may be fierce rivalry between the clubs, there is some shared ground among supporters on certain issues.
Tight Battle on the Pitch
Despite the charged atmosphere, the first half produced more tension than clear-cut chances.
Dundalk looked lively in patches, with Gbemi Arubi, Danny Mullen and Daryl Horgan threatening from distance. Drogheda’s Leo Burney managed a shot inside the area, while the visitors leaned into their physical advantage with long throws and set-piece deliveries.
The breakthrough came after the restart. From the second phase of a set-piece, the ball broke to Keith Buckley on the edge of the area. His effort was cleverly flicked past Luke Dennison by Danny Mullen to give Dundalk the lead.
Drogheda responded with a flurry of substitutions between the 63rd and 71st minute, as manager Kevin Doherty sought fresh impetus. Jason Bucknor provided energy down the right, while Dundalk boss Jon Daly shuffled his pack in an attempt to see the game out.
Keeley’s Moment Sparks Pandemonium
Dundalk appeared relatively comfortable but never fully killed the contest. That left the door ajar for a dramatic finale.
When the late ball was launched into the box, it required bravery and precision — and Keeley delivered both. His intervention secured a point and sparked wild celebrations among the travelling supporters, draining the joy from the majority inside Oriel Park.
For supporters in Ardee and across Louth, the result only heightens anticipation for the next instalment of this fierce local rivalry.
Teams
Dundalk: Kearns; JR Wilson, Cornwall, Leonard, Burns; Buckley, Dervin (Teahan 71); Kenny (Groome 82), Mullen, Horgan (T Wilson 82); Arubi (McDaid 71)
Drogheda United: Dennison; Agbaje (Bucknor 63), Quinn, Keeley, Burney, Kane (Cruise 71); Farrell (Godden 63), O’Brien (R Brennan 71), Kavanagh; Oluwa, Doyle (Kareem 63)Referee: Rob Hennessy
