Doyle delivers as U-19s secure Longford double

DROGHEDA United’s underage teams completed an impressive weekend double over Longford Town when their Under-19s came away from City Calling Stadium with all three points on Sunday afternoon.

The addition of striker Stephen Meaney and midfielder Karl Fitzsimon to the squad, together with the promotion of Kyle Molloy and James Carroll from the Under-17s has given them strength in depth and they also welcomed back Mark Doyle from injury.

The Boynesiders were looking to build on their opening-day draw against Bohemians and from the kick-off they showed plenty of strength and confidence on the ball.

Doyle’s stint in the first-team squad has certainly sharpened his skills and the game was only 10 minutes old when he cut in from the left and was only denied by a great save from the Longford keeper.

Five minutes later Lee Partridge was unlucky when the goalkeeper deflected away his well-struck shot.

The Drogs lost Nathan Seery on the half-hour through injury, to be replaced by Emmet Carolan, but the lead goal arrived soon after when Doyle took the ball confidently into the penalty area, only to be upended by a poor tackle. Meaney stuck away the penalty confidently for 1-0.

Drogheda doubled their lead on 42 minutes when Partridge’s great cross was brilliantly headed to the net by Doyle.

It was 2-0 at the break and the away side never looked like relinquishing that advantage as they dominated the second period.

Fitzsimon in particular was a skilful and dominating presence in the midfield and on 70 minutes he took the ball from a Longford corner, exchanged a one-two with Eoin Broughan and was only denied by a good save from the home keeper.

Drogheda had a few more chances as time wore on and Sean Hughes saw a good effort strike the crossbar in the 90th minute. A GOAL after only five minutes from captain Sam Byrne was enough to secure victory for Drogheda United Under-17s against a tough Longford team at United Park on Saturday.

While it was a welcome opening three points for Gerry Gosson’s team, they have a bit of work to do to tighten things up, particularly in the middle of the field, and they can thank new keeper Daniel Grace who made a couple of great saves and gave defenders around him plenty of confidence.

The Drogs took the lead very early on when a beautifully delivered Cameron Brennan corner from the left eluded the home defence and Byrne sent the ball to the net from close range.

Then followed a tough midfield battle, and as the first half wore on Longford came much more into the game, with the hosts inclined to over-elaborate their passing out of defence. As a result they conceded control of midfield to the visitors who created quite a number of chances going forward.

Two minutes from half-time Drogs keeper Grace came out quickly to make a point-blank save when an equaliser from the visitors seemed certain.

The Drogs went in at the break with their slender lead intact but knowing they would have to up their game in the middle of the field. Thankfully they did this, they quickened their passing and created a few half -chances as a result.

On 68 minutes Stephen Doran headed over from a corner, although the visitors were unlucky to see a speculative shot from the left on 70 minutes hit the post, with Grace beaten.

Byrne, Doran, and Derick Dunne were solid and resolute in the middle of the Drogs defence and Ryan O’Shea took up where he left off last season with a great display of skill and strength at left-back. In midfield, Brennan, Peat and in particular McHugh showed some great touches.