No early March to top of table

DROGHEDA United made a solid start to life in Division 1 of the SSE Airtricity League when defeating Waterford United 2-1, with Sam O’Connor and Eoin Kirwan scoring the goals.

However, this proved to be something of a false dawn in terms of March as the month ended with the Boynesiders - playing in the second tier for the first time in 14 years - fourth in the table and already seven points adrift of pace-setters Limerick.

Week two also started encouragingly as Sean Thornton put the Drogs ahead in the away match against Cobh Ramblers, but in the end it was ‘only’ a draw after Liam Donnelly got himself sent off just two minutes after coming on as a sub.

Thornton scored again for his home-town club in round three, but once more Drogheda flattered to deceive and despite Jake Hyland restoring their lead in the 89th minute, lowly Athlone Town stunned United Park with a stoppage-time equaliser as the match finished in a 2-2 draw.

Few fans pay much heed to the Leinster Senior Cup competition, and perhaps the Drogheda team weren’t too interested either as they went out of the competition at the first hurdle to non-league Bluebell United. In a strong contender for worst game of the season, it finished 0-0 after extra time and Marc Griffin’s missed kick proved decisive as Drogheda were knocked out on penalties.

Pete Mahon’s team completed the month with a trip to Tolka Park in the league and this proved to be one of the stranger games of the season. Drogheda played some excellent football, had the lion’s share of the chances and hit the woodwork twice, yet they went home smarting from a 3-0 defeat at the hands of a moderate Shelbourne side.