Candystripes’ win sends Drog heda back to the First Division
DROGHEDA United’s swift return to the First Division was confirmed at a blustery Maginn Park last night, Pete Mahon’s youngsters put to the sword by Derry City. And while Drogheda’s return to the top flight this season had proved to be a constant struggle, credit to the players of the Boyneside club who worked hard in an effort to delay what was always considered an inevitable conclusion to their battle with four matches remaining. Derry got off to the best possible start before three minutes had elapsed. If the truth be told, the visitors emerged authors of their own misfortune when young full-back, Conor Kane, failed to find keeper, Stephen McGuinness, with an under-weighted back pass and Conor McDermott stepped in to guide the ball home, a gift of a goal. Ten minutes later, McDermott turned provider when he was sent scampering clear on the right by Rory Patterson and McDermott’s low cross from the right was diverted into the net by Ronan Curtis from close range.
However, following the change of ends, Derry struggled against the wind with Drogheda forcing the home side back in an effort to salvage something from the game. Indeed, in the 75th minute a superb cross from Brennan was met by the head of Shane Elworthy but Doherty did well to claw the ball away from his goal with a full stretch save. That close call served to wake Derry up with Ben Doherty bringing the best out of McGuinness at the other end with a deflected shot before the Drogheda keeper saved again when blocking Harry Monaghan’s downward header. Drogheda had the final say with the last kick of the match when substitute Mark Doyle took advantage of a mistake by keeper, Doherty following a Brennan free, but it was a case of too little, too late. The County Louth side, therefore, return to the graveyard that is the
First Division.
DERRY CITY: G. Doherty; Cole, Barry, Jarvis; McDermott (Schubert, h/ t), Monaghan, Low, McNamee, B. Doherty; Patterson. DROGHEDA UNITED: McGuinness; Deasy *Doyle, 81), Buckley, Mulcahy, Kane; Wixted, Purdy, McEvoy (Bayly, 74), Elworthy; Brennan; Elliott (Masterson, 86). Referee: J. McLoughlin (Roscommon).