Drogs back in the big time

THIRTEEN years after defying long odds to secure their top-flight status in a two-leg decider, history repeated itself in a dramatic Promotion/Relegation Play-off as Drogheda United bounced back to the Premier Division.

Back in 2003 Harry McCue’s team looked to be heading for the second tier when they lost 2-0 away to Galway United, only to pull off ‘The Great Escape’ as they stunned the Tribesmen with a 3-0 win a few days later.

And, remarkably, the scorelines were exactly the same when Pete Mahon’s men did battle with Wexford Youths.

The Boynesiders gave as good as they got down in Ferrycarrig Park on the Monday night, but they struck the woodwork three times in the match and two second-half strikes - the second in stoppage time from Wexford GAA star Lee Chin - left Drogheda with a mountain to climb in the Friday re-match.

With the second leg entering time added on at the end of the first half, Wexford still had that two-goal cushion and Drogheda had offered little to suggest that a comeback was on.

But cometh the hour cometh the man and local lad Sean Brennan scored a superb goal to bolster belief around United Park heading into the break.

Moments later Brennan damaged his ribs in a challenge and he was forced off early in the second half, paving the way for the introduction of Brookville’s Sean Thornton who took the captain’s armband.

What followed was the stuff of dreams as centre-half Kevin Farragher headed Drogheda 2-0 in front - levelling the tie on aggregate - before the home side’s third shout for a penalty was heeded as Marc Griffin went to ground following a tackle from Andrew O’Connor.

Who else but Thornton stepped up to convert the spot kick and the Boynesiders were 3-2 ahead in the tie with 11 minutes remaining.

There were heartstopping moments after that, though. The referee appeared to allow a Wexford goal to stand before correctly ruling it out following consultation with his assistant, while keeper Stephen McGuinness made a couple of superlative saves.

Then, right at the death, Farragher - who should never have been playing as he struggled through the game with an injury - popped up with a quite remarkable double-block on his own goal-line in the final moments. As he said himself afterwards, he was delighted the game didn’t go to extra time as his legs would never have got him through it.

Centre-half Luke Gallagher, who played every minute of ever league, FAI Cup and EA Sports Cup game during the season, was voted Players’ Player of the Year and Aaron Ashe - who finished the campaign joint top scorer with Thornton - was named Supporters’ Player of the Year.