Three in a row for improving Drogs
DROGHEDA soccer star Megan Campbell spoke at length about her new career with English big guns Manchester City - the outstanding facilities, her ambitions and the stick she has to put up with as a Manchester United fan!
Back home, Aaron Ashe continued his fine scoring form for Drogheda United with the winner against Cobh. Sean Thornton netted the decisive goal in a hard-earned 2-1 win at Athlone Town to make it three consecutive league victories for the first time in three years. The winning run continued against Shelbourne, with skipper Niall Cooney volleying the only goal. However, they fell at the first hurdle in the FAI Cup despite forcing Derry City to a replay.
Drogheda Town manager Robbie Horgan fumed that the attitude of some of his players ‘stinks’ after a number of them failed to turn up for a vital league match. They defeated Kilnamanagh 3-1 despite not having any subs to call on, but their season-long battle against a third successive relegation ultimately failed on the final day of the season.
In the North East League, Duleek lost the Division 1 title decider to Muirhevnamor but still gained promotion.
Shane Foley and Peter Sayers were the match-winners as Termonfeckin pipped Albion Rovers 1-0 in the Drogheda Schoolchildren’s League Under-15 and Under-12 Cup Finals respectively, while Duleek Dynamoes took the Under-11 honours. There were wins in North Dublin League cup deciders for EMU Galaxy (Under-11) and Donacarney Celtic (Under-15). Mount Hanover (Duleek) were crowned national champions at the SPAR FAI Primary 5s at Aviva Stadium.
Slane’s Ian Richardson soloed to a magnificent victory in Stage 3 of the Tour of Ulster cycling race, while Stamullen CC announced a new sponsorship deal with Fast Shipping.
Teenage Duleek motorcycle racer Aaron Clifford’s star continued to shine as he finished as the leading 600 rider in rounds five, six and seven of the Mondello Masters.
Tomàs Cotter (Dunleer AC) ran 8:37.12 for the 3,000m steeplechase in a race in the US, inside the qualifying time for the European B Championships. Oliver Carolan (Boyne AC) was pictured with four gold medals around his neck following a hugely successful appearance at the Louth Track & Field Championships. Duleek native Keith Marks smashed a Leinster Schools record of more than 20 years’ standing as he qualified for the All-Irelands in the long jump.
Boyne Rugby Club looked North to replace their departed head coach Niall Ronan as Cookstown native Graeme Eastwood assumed the reins at Shamrock Lodge.
Morning Star (Tullyallen) beat Mariner (Drogheda) in Division 1, the last of the Duleek & District Dart League finals.
Local girls Gillian Farrelly from the Drogheda club and Cara Kindlon (St Vincents) gained selection for the Ireland Under-15 water polo squad.
Monasterboice horse breeder Eugene (Gus) Bourke was announced as one of four nominees for the Irish Field’s Breeder of the Month after Jer’s Girl’s Champion Novice Hurdle success at Punchestown.