Centre-half Prendergast returns to the Drogs
DEREK Prendergast has described his return to Drogheda United as ‘a match made in heaven’ after turning down offers from the Irish League to rejoin the Boynesiders.
The man who captained Drogheda in three cup finals in the 2013 season went on to play for Athlone Town and Bohemians before winning the First Division title in his third year with Shelbourne, ironically securing the title at United Park.
However, playing in the top flight with the Tolka men was never going to be an option for Prendergast and that’s when Drogs boss Tim Clancy swooped to bring the centre-back to United Park.
The signing might raise a few eyebrows given Prendergast’s age - 35 - and the fact that Clancy has tended to favour youth in his team. However, it could be argued that experience and leadership was the one thing missing from Drogheda’s defence this season and they ended up conceding twice as many goals as the champions Shelbourne.
The arrival of Prendergast could be an indication that at least one of the Drogs’ centre-halves from 2019 - Luke McNally, Luke Gallagher and Kevin Farragher - won’t be remaining at United Park and it would certainly be a surprise if their Young Player of the Year McNally - who was merely on loan this year - doesn’t return to St Patrick’s Athletic where he is contracted for 2020.
Prendergast, speaking to the Drogheda Independent on Monday afternoon, said he was delighted to be returning to the Drogs, with whom he won the EA Sports Cup and finished League runners-up in 2012, as well as captaining them against Malmo in the Europa League.
‘I had one or two offers to go up to Northern Ireland, but I work every second weekend and the league up there play their games on Saturdays.
‘With Shelbourne going up they’re going to be training on certain days that don’t suit because of work.
‘It’s not possible for me to play in the Premier Division. The First
Division is less demanding on work and family life.
‘When Drogheda called and I spoke to Tim Clancy I found out the days they train and play are the days I’m available, so it’s a match made in heaven.
‘They’ve made good progress when you see how close they came to winning promotion this year, and if I can help them go up that would be the aim.
‘I wanted to have a challenge and an ambition. It gives you something to play for.
‘I’ve good memories of the glory days and the supporters have always been welcoming.’
Prendergast insisted he wasn’t coming just to play fleetingly - quite the reverse in fact.
‘I definitely want to play as much as possible,’ he responded.
‘Touch wood, throughout my career I’ve not been injured too much and training wise I love training just as much as playing.
‘If there happens to be a game on a Friday and a Monday, I want to play 90 minutes in both games.
‘I’m still fit and I wouldn’t want to go where I would be a bit-part player.’
Meanwhile, Drogheda United have also announced that both Jordan Adeyemo and James Clarke have agreed new deals with the club for the 2020 campaign.
Adeyemo has been a member of Drogheda’s Under-19 and senior squads in both the past two seasons and in 2019 he scored 18 goals for the underage side as they progressed to the National League semi-finals, winning their Player of the Year award last Saturday.
He also made 12 appearances for the senior side and scored his first senior goal in a 3-0 win at home to Galway United in May.
Trim native James Clarke also combined playing for both the Under-19 side and the seniors in 2019. The versatile midfielder made 17 appearances for Clancy’s first team this season, scoring his first senior goal came in a 4-2 win against Athlone in June. Clarke was also named our Fifty50 Player of the Month for June.
The re-signings of both Adeyemo and Clarke along with Prendergast bring Tim Clancy’s squad for 2020 to 10 after Chris Lyons, James Brown, Adam Wixted, Luca Gratzer, Stephen Meaney, Luke Heeney and Ryan O’Shea had previously agreed new deals.
Meanwhile, Lyons outstanding finish to the 2019 season has been recognised after he was named as one of six nominees for SSE Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month.
The list was announced on Monday morning and also includes Joey O’Brien and Roberto Lopes of Shamrock Rovers, Michael Duffy (Dundalk), Ross Tierney (Bohemians) and Finn Harps goalkeeper Mark McGinley.
Members of the Soccer Writers of Ireland are currently voting for the winner, which will be announced later this week.
If there happens to be a game on a Friday and a Monday, I want to play 90 minutes in both games. I’m still fit and I wouldn’t want to go where I would be a bit-part player.