Drogs squad taking shape as current players commit
MANY of Drogheda United’s key players from the 2018 season have now been tied down for next year’s First Division campaign after manager Tim Clancy re-signed seven of the squad over the past week.
The first to agree a new deal were Player of the Year Sean Brennan, former Under-19 international Conor Kane and striker Chris Lyons, all of whom were near ever-presents as the Drogs came up just short in their bid for promotion.
Then another batch of re-signings were confirmed over the weekend, with Mark Doyle, Luke Gallagher, Kevin Farragher and goalkeeper Paul Skinner all committing to the Boynesiders for 2019.
For Gallagher, Farragher and Doyle it’s a fourth consecutive season at United Park, and Brennan’s signing for a fifth successive year ensures that the Rathmullen family’s long association with the club continues for at least another 12 months.
The former captain was the club’s top scorer in 2018 with 12 goals and he was named in the PFAI First Division Team of the Season along with talented left-back Kane.
Lyons also proved a big hit with fans in his first year with the club, scoring eight goals, including the winner at home to Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup, and Doyle had a major impact too, netting on nine occasions.
Skinner, who was also the club’s goalkeeping coach, kept 10 clean sheets in 33 appearances last season and the re-signing of the experienced Gallagher and Farragher along with Kane ensures continuity in that key area of the pitch.
Attention will now turn to some of Drogheda’s other key players from the 2018 season as skipper Jake Hyland, Richie Purdy, Gareth McCaffrey, Ciaran Kelly, Colm Deasy and Lee Duffy haven’t yet resigned.
Meanwhile, Clancy was nominated for the PFAI First Division Manager of the Year but lost out to Drogheda native Collie O’Neill who steered UCD back to the top flight as First Division champions.
Nick Pavlov of the club’s Under-15 side has been called up to play for Moldova Under-15s in two upcoming friendlies against Turkey.