Derry’s Title Dream Falters in Drogheda Thriller as Dundalk Edge Closer to Relegation After Bohemians Defeat
Ardee News and Sport — Derry’s Title Hopes Take Major Hit as Drogheda Triumph in 2-1 Thriller
Drogheda United 2-1 Derry City
Derry City’s title ambitions were dealt a significant blow after a 2-1 defeat at Drogheda United in a pivotal clash that showcased both teams’ contrasting fortunes. While Derry aimed to stay in the title hunt, it was Drogheda who stole the headlines, securing a hard-fought victory ahead of their FAI Cup semi-final against Wexford FC next Sunday.
Despite lingering in the relegation playoff spot, Kevin Doherty’s Drogheda side produced a spirited performance that underlined their recent resurgence. With Dundalk now eight points adrift at the bottom, Drogheda have achieved their first mission: survival hope.
For Derry, it was another disappointing outing on the road. Ruaidhri Higgins’ men now sit four points off the pace in a title race that remains wide open, but this loss underscores their inability to capitalize on key moments. Even with Shelbourne failing to capitalize, Derry’s latest stumble leaves their championship ambitions hanging by a thread.
The game was finely poised from the start, with both sides matching up in a 3-5-2 formation. While Derry looked for an early breakthrough, Drogheda held firm and looked dangerous on the counter. The attacking duo of Douglas James-Taylor and Frantz Pierrot have become a formidable partnership, and it was their chemistry that unraveled Derry’s defense in the second half.
Derry started positively, with Higgins pairing Danny Mullen and Patrick Hoban up front, but the absence of Will Patching was sorely felt in midfield creativity. Drogheda, resolute in defense, gradually grew into the game and had the better of the chances. Brian Maher produced a stunning save to deny Pierrot just before half-time, but the warning signs were clear.
Drogheda’s breakthrough came after the hour mark, with Andre Wisdom misplacing a pass in midfield. James-Taylor pounced on the loose ball, releasing Pierrot, who beat the offside trap and slotted past Maher to make it 1-0.
Just eight minutes later, Drogheda doubled their lead. James-Taylor turned provider once again, racing down the right before delivering a perfect cross for Pierrot, who finished clinically from close range to make it 2-0.
Derry’s substitutes added some late energy, and Sean Robertson pulled a goal back in the dying minutes, but it was too little, too late for the title hopefuls. In a season where no team has seized control of the title race, Derry remain in the hunt, but this loss could prove costly.
As Drogheda gear up for their FAI Cup semi-final, confidence is high at Head in the Game Park. Meanwhile, Derry must regroup quickly ahead of two crucial home games if they hope to stay in the title race.
Drogheda United: Dennison, Quinn, Webster, Bolger; Ahui, Markey (Heeney 76), Brennan, Farrell, Kane; Pierrot (Foley 86), James-Taylor
Derry City: Maher, Wisdom, Connolly (McCourt 87), Coll; McMullan (Robertson 72), Diallo (O’Reilly 72), McEleney, Davenport (Boyce 72); Mullen (Whelan 72), Duffy; Hoban
Ardee News and Sport — Dundalk’s Survival Hopes Hang by a Thread After 2-0 Defeat to Bohemians
Dundalk 0-2 Bohemians
Dundalk’s struggles continued on Friday night as a 2-0 home defeat to Bohemians at Oriel Park left the Lilywhites perilously close to relegation from the League of Ireland Premier Division. With just four games remaining, John Daly’s side now sit eight points adrift of safety, and their survival hopes are fading fast.
Dundalk started brightly, creating several early chances, but their inability to convert proved costly. Set pieces from Paul Doyle and long throws from Dan Pike caused problems for the Bohs defense, and Mayowa Animasahun had a close-range effort cleared off the line, with Dundalk’s appeals that the ball had crossed the line waved away by referee Kevin O’Sullivan.
Bohemians, though, always looked a threat going forward. Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy were at the heart of their attacking play, with Ross Munro in the Dundalk goal making a crucial early save from an Alex Grieve effort. Dundalk had chances of their own, most notably when John Mountney’s header was saved by Bohs keeper Kacper Chorazka, but Robbie Benson blazed the rebound over the bar.
The deadlock was finally broken just after the hour mark. After Dayle Rooney’s deflected effort earned Bohemians a corner, Dawson Devoy fired a stunning volley into the top corner from 18 yards, putting the visitors ahead.
Dundalk had a golden opportunity to equalize on 65 minutes when substitute Ryan O’Kane set up Daryl Horgan, but the experienced winger fired over the bar from close range. Jamie Gullan also missed a chance, shooting over following a clever ball from Horgan, as Dundalk pushed for a way back into the game.
With six minutes left, Bohemians made sure of the points when Adam McDonnell’s corner was deflected into the net off John Mountney, sealing a crucial win for the visitors and leaving Dundalk facing the stark reality of potential relegation to the First Division.
As Dundalk reflect on another missed opportunity, their fight for survival becomes ever more desperate with time running out.
Dundalk: Munro, Pike (O’Kane HT), Boyle, Animasahun, Keogh (Hakiki 73); Dervin (Kenny 79), Doyle (Keane 59), Mountney, Benson, Horgan; Gullan.
Bohemians: Chorazka; Smith, Byrne, Mills (Carroll 79), Kirk; McDonnell; Devoy, Grant (Clarke 74), Tierney (Meekison 74), Rooney; Grieve (Akintunde HT).