PICTURES AND STORIES FROM THE DROGHEDA INDO ARCHIVES
HUBERT MURPHY LOOKS BACK AT JULY 1991 AND THE DROGHEDA SUMMER LEAGUE. IT WAS A COMPETITION THAT SAW THE CREAM OF PLAYERS TAKING PART YEAR AFTER YEAR. AND WHAT STARS IT PRODUCED OVER THE DECADES....
LLIES 3
LAURENCE INN 1
OOllies secured the TSB First Division title the hard way at Mosney when coming from a goal behind at half time to deny the Laurence Inn a first league win of the season. The turning point really came on the hour when Laurence’s stand in goalkeeper Sam Maguire fouled Bill Kelly and Ray Berrill promptly drove the resulting penalty to the roof of the net to level the scores. Ollies, needing both points for the title, were clearly intent on victory at this stage and Laurence’s made a gamble which didn’t pay off.
Drogheda United’s Alan Reilly entered up front for talented right back David Cassidy, moving the steady centre half John Donnelly wide and suddenly the Inn were all at sea. On 75 minutes Ollies flying substitute Stephen Connolly once more found room down the left and as the ball raced across goal in went Bill Kelly to drive solidly past the brave Maguire.
Five minutes later and it was all over.Connolly was the instigator, crossing deep for Aidan Thornton to kick the ball into the path of Mick Kelly who goaled from close range. It was as simple as that in the end but for a full 45 minutes one had to wonder which team was on the verge of a league success.
Laurences who drew five games and suffered just one defeat before last week’s tie certainly had a touch of class in their ranks, Mickey Reilly and Ian McKcnna in the midfield, Peter Milne up front, John Donnelly, Mark McKenna and Wayne Reilly in a composed looking defence.
John Donnelly could well have guided a 16th minute header inside the post as Laurences enjoyed a smart opening while Reilly found Declan Weldon in his usual reliable form from a fierce free kick 10 minutes later.
Just on the half hour Ollies had their first chance, Jim Kelly’s neat first touch sending Bill Kelly down the left but Maguire saving cleanly.
Brendan McKeown at centre half, Alan Kelly and Brian Connor were seeing plenty ol the ball as Laurences continued to press and at the other end the young Inn defence held sway, Derek Briody another one to catch the eye as Mick Kelly, Paddy Fanning and Jim Kelly struggled to get a grip on matters.
When the goals eventually arrived the Inn heads began to drop and but for some poor finishing by Connolly and M.Kelly with only the keeper to beat it could have been five by the finish. Ollies even had to finish the game with only 10 men after Aidan Thornton picked up an injury and was forced to limp from the field. Referee was 0llie O’Connor.
Ollies; Declan Weldon, David Cassidy, Alan Kelly, Brian Connor, Brendan McKeown, Aidan Thornton, Bill Kelly, Ray Berrill, Jim Kelly, Paddy Fanning, Mick Kelly.Subs; Stephen Connolly for Fanning (45 mins), Martin Thornton for Jim Kelly (79 mins).
Laurence Inn; Sam Maguire, Wayne Reilly, Mark McKenna, John Donnelly, Derek Briody,
Colin McQuillan, Mickey Reilly, Ian McKenna, Peter Milne, Limn Reilly, sub; Alan Reilly forW. Reilly (61 mins)