TIM CHASES A HAT-TRICK AT DE TOWN
Longford Tn Drogheda Utd
TIM CLANCY is hoping Drogheda United can chalk up a hat-trick of wins over Longford when they visit Bishopsgate tonight.
The Boynesiders recorded a 4-0 victory in the midlands early in the season before defeating Daire Doyle’s men 4-1 at home.
“The games we have played against them, we had a brilliant second half down there,” said Clancy.
“We also had a brilliant first half in our place. However, we know they are very capable. They had our number for a few years down in the First Division.”
The Europe-chasing visitors this week secured rising young star Killian Phillips on a contract for next season while they have striker Mark Hughes back following his recovery from injury. “It’s been a long time for Sparky, a lot longer than we expected. He had a serious injury, he had a tear of his patella tendon.
“Covid probably didn’t help. Gyms were closed and the days he wanted to get in and do work he wasn’t able to do it. It’s still something we’ll have to manage. We’ll alter Sparky’s sessions but it was brilliant to get him back on the pitch.
“He’s been a massive player for us the last couple of seasons. He’s an extremely talented player and a great lad as well. He’ll give us that feeling of a new signing.”
Bottom side Longford have yet to chalk up a second victory since their opening night defeat of Derry City.
But Doyle is not giving up on securing a place in next season’s top flight despite the poor run.
“We know that we can get off the bottom of the table,” stated Doyle. “We feel we have a good enough group here that can do that. We are very positive that we can catch Waterford. We feel we can do that and maybe catch another team ahead of us. There is a long way to go, 17 games left to play.”
Doyle has secured the loan signings of Shamrock Rovers’ pair Dean Williams and Darragh Nugent (inset) for the rest of the season.
Striker Williams, 21, and 20-year-old midfielder Nugent were on the bench for the Hoops in their Champions League qualifier in Bratislava but are available tonight.