Davis Magic Sends Drogheda Top as Shelbourne Stumble, While Late Drama Denies Dundalk Victory
Ardee News and Sport – Davis Magic Sends Drogheda Top as Shelbourne Stumble, While Late Drama Denies Dundalk Victory
Davis Stunner Sends Drogheda to the Top as Shelbourne’s Unbeaten Run Ends
Shelbourne 0-1 Drogheda United
Dublin – Drogheda United surged to the summit of the Premier Division with a stunning victory over reigning champions Shelbourne, thanks to a moment of magic from Warren Davis.
Coming off the back of their win against Bohemians on Monday, Drogheda continued their unbeaten start to the season with another impressive performance, moving two points clear at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Damien Duff’s Shelbourne suffered their first defeat of the campaign despite dominating possession at Tolka Park.
Davis Delivers a Masterclass
Shelbourne started brightly, with Kerr McInroy firing a warning shot just wide in the opening minutes. However, Drogheda hit the front almost immediately, with Davis producing a moment of individual brilliance.
The forward pressed Evan Caffrey into a mistake, stole the ball, and skillfully nutmegged Harry Wood before curling an unstoppable right-footed effort into the top corner beyond Conor Kearns.
Shelbourne pressed for an equaliser and thought they had a penalty shout when Sean Boyd went down under a challenge from Ryan Brennan, but the referee waved away their appeals.
Despite Shels controlling possession, Drogheda remained dangerous on the counter, with Thomas Oluwa nearly doubling the lead after a slick move on 20 minutes. At the other end, Shelbourne had chances through Wood and McInroy, but Luke Dennison and his defence stood firm.
Second-Half Siege Falls Short
Shelbourne boss Damien Duff made changes at halftime, introducing Rayhaan Tulloch, who made an instant impact with a dangerous cross that Boyd flicked wide. Ali Coote and McInroy both had chances but couldn’t hit the target as Shelbourne piled on the pressure.
Despite a late siege deep into stoppage time, Drogheda’s tenacious defending saw them hold on for a statement victory, dealing the champions their first defeat of the season and cementing their place at the top of the table.
Teams:
Shelbourne: Kearns; Caffrey (O’Kane 71), Barrett, Ledwidge, Norris (Tulloch HT); Wood (Coote 61), Coyle, McInroy, Chapman (Lunney 71); Boyd, Odubeko (Martin 61).
Drogheda United: Dennison; Quinn, Keeley, Cooper; Lambe, Brennan (Cronin 90+1), Farrell (Heeney 68), Kane; Markey, Davis, Oluwa (Bawa 72).
Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo).
Headline: Late Drama at Oriel Park as Treaty United Snatch Draw Against Dundalk
Dundalk 2-2 Treaty United
Dundalk – Dundalk looked set to continue their perfect start to the season, but Treaty United struck twice in the final minutes to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw at Oriel Park.
Goals from Dean Ebbe and Aodh Dervin had put Dundalk in control, but Eoin Martin and Lee Devitt stunned the home crowd with late strikes to rescue a point for Treaty.
Despite the setback, Dundalk remain in a strong position in the First Division, pushing for an immediate return to the top flight.
Early Control for Dundalk
Dundalk dominated early on, and their pressure paid off in the 27th minute when a free-kick from Dervin was only half-cleared. Daryl Horgan kept the ball alive, and Ebbe leapt highest to head home past Corey Chambers.
Eoin Kenny twice came close to extending the lead, and Treaty had their chances too, with Devitt blazing over from close range in the 56th minute.
Dundalk’s second goal came in the 80th minute, with Dervin’s whipped free-kick curling into the net untouched, catching everyone—including Chambers—off guard.
Treaty’s Late Fightback
With four minutes remaining, Treaty found a lifeline when Martin’s long-range effort slipped through Peter Cherrie’s hands and into the net. Then, in a dramatic stoppage-time scramble, Devitt pounced to nod home an equaliser, breaking Dundalk hearts.
Teams:
Dundalk: Cherrie; Dervin, Leonard, McHale, Keogh (Spraight 90+1); Paraschiv (Garbett 62, Arubi 72), Groome; Kenny, Ward (Mulligan 62), Horgan; Ebbe.
Treaty United: Chambers; O’Connor, Martin, Walsh (Lynch 46), Boevi; Conroy (Lee 81), Wilson (Healy 61); Byrne (Mahdy 61), O’Sullivan, Devitt; Vrljicak (Kozlowski 80).
Referee: Darragh White (Dublin).
With Drogheda United flying high at the top of the Premier Division and Dundalk still in the promotion race, Louth football fans have plenty to look forward to in the weeks ahead.
