Dundalk took an early lead through rising star Gbemi Arubi in the first half, showing clear dominance. Drogheda responded after the break and came out with renewed intensity, with Leo Burney equalising shortly afterwards via a header. The match featured chances traded by both teams in the final 20 minutes, but no late winner arrived. Drogheda’s point followed back-to-back defeats and leaves them in eighth place. Dundalk remain fourth but will feel they failed to convert first-half control into three points, especially with Shelbourne two points behind. Pre-match flare trouble from a previous meeting did not repeat, though a banner and actions by a minority at Oriel drew attention, including harm to a 12-year-old fan.
"After the flare trouble that marred the last meeting between these rivals in February, there was no repeat here as both sets of supporters paid heed to the pleas from their clubs in the lead-up to this stalemate. In a classic game of two halves, Dundalk flexed their muscles in the first period as rising star Gbemi Arubi gave his side an early advantage but Drogheda recovered from their slow start and came out a new side after the break, as Leo Burney levelled shortly afterwards with a header."
"But the reason neither rival will be overly pleased with a point is because this was a game either could have won, as both traded chances in the final 20 minutes but a late winner wasn't to be. After back-to-back defeats, it's a point in the right direction for Drogheda who remain in eighth. Dundalk remain in fourth but will rue not making the most of their first-half dominance as Ciarán Kilduff's side missed the chance to keep the pressure on Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic just above them, and will be well aware that Shelbourne, two points behind, are breathing down their necks."
"After the flare trouble the country witnessed three months ago, the Drogheda ultras made their feelings known, perhaps to Minister Patrick O'Donovan, by taking inspiration from a well-known quote from an Irish UFC fighter. "[I'd like to apologise] to absolutely nobody" read a huge claret and blue banner in the home end as the sides took to the pitch."
"The actions of a minority at Oriel that night was shameful - let's not forget a 12-year-old Drogheda fan was injured in the incident - but it's clear sections of the home support are making no apologies for what they see as adding to the 'atmosphere' in derbies like these. The intensity from the home fans pre-match wasn't matched by their team, as Drogheda were slow out of the blocks, with boss Kevin Doherty watching the derby from the s"
Read at Irish Independent
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