Shane Farrell was the Drogheda United hero as a huge weekend for sport in the Wee County began in dramatic fashion with the Louth derby ended a come-from-behind win for Kevin Doherty’s team against Dundalk.
Many of the 2,658 in attendance at Oriel Park for the third derby clash of the campaign will make the trek to Croke Park tomorrow for Louth’s first All-Ireland semi-final appearance in 69 years.
While that will be pleasant for all, whatever the outcome, this was a more hostile meeting of Louth’s teams from the north and south of the county. It’s never friendly when these sides meet, be it on the pitch, the sideline or in the stands.
By the end, Dundalk fans seemed more upset with referee Rob Harvey than with anyone of a claret-and-blue persuasion. Ciaran Kilduff was booked at the break for engaging with the referee as he made his way off the field, and his team were winning at the time.
Gbemi Arubi had handed Dundalk a deserved first half lead but Farrell’s double turned things around and secured a much, much needed win for Drogheda who have been dragged into a relegation battle after going eight matches winless. Add Waterford’s upturn in form to the mix and things looked grim for United, certainly before Arubi’s intervention at least.
Arubi opened the derby scoring, just as he did the last time these met back in May at Sullivan and Lambe Park. It was fortunate in a sense. Keith Buckley’s pass towards the in-demand young striker took deflections off Daryl Horgan and United defender Leo Burney en route before Arubi found himself with just the goalkeeper to beat.
The 22-year-old duly obliged to net his seventh goal of the campaign. Reports have linked him with a move away from Dundalk this summer but with Eoin Kenny having joined Portsmouth and Danny Mullen, his importance to Kilduff has multiplied in the last few weeks.
Tyreke Wilson went closest to doubling Dundalk’s advantage, only to be denied by a fine Luke Denniso stop. After the restart, Drogheda were much improved. They were more combative and more direct. Thomas Oluwa dragged a shot wide and was denied by Enda Minogue, both at the end of breakaway moves.
Farrell struck with a brilliant free-kick from just outside the area in the 73rd minute. It is the sort of set-piece that few players in the league can execute quite like him.
Tension was palpable in the old ground before Farrell found the bottom corner 12 minutes later, lashing a first-time effort beyond Enda Minogue for the winner after his own corner had not been adequately cleared by the Lilywhites defence.
It is a big three points for Drogheda, a sizeable blow to Dundalk. There are major consequences to happenings in this Wee derby.
Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Mayowa Animasahun (Harry Groome, 80), Rob Cornwall, Bobby Burns; John Ross Wilson (Trevor Clarke, 63), Keith Buckley (Shane Tracey, 63), Aodh Dervin, Tyreke Wilson (Declan McDaid, 63); Daryl Horgan, Ronan Teahan, Gbemi Arubi.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Edwin Agbaje, Conor Keeley, Leo Burney (James Bolger, 46); Jason Bucknor, Shane Farrell, Ryan Brennan, Conor Kane; Brandon Kavanagh (Jago Godden, 70), Thomas Oluwa (Ryan Markey, 76), Mark Doyle.
Referee: Robert Harvey
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