Drogheda Independent

Mahon insists Drogs will be United until the bitter end

- MARCUS CAVAROLI

PETE Mahon is insisting that his Drogheda United team will fight to the bitter end for Premier Division survival and has poured scorn on critics who claim they have ‘thrown in the towel’.

Last week’s sudden departures of marquee signing Killian Brennan (pictured below) and striker Marc Griffin raised concerns that the Boynesider­s are heading for the drop, even before they were humbled 4-1 by Shamrock Rovers to extend their win-less run to nine games.

With a difficult run of fixtures now behind them, it’s the points haul from consecutiv­e homeme games against Limerick andnd Finn Harps, followed by a trip to fellow strugglers Sligo Rovers, vers, that will have a huge bearing ng on Drogheda’s prospects going into the final sequence of matches.

However, the main topic of conversati­on at the weekend was the fall-out from the two departures, with Killian Brennan tweeting ‘We both asked to leave as it was not a nice experience working with a certain individual at the club. Wish things could have ave been different, wish them all the best going forward.’

Responding, Mahon wasas philosophi­cal, saying: ‘There ere was a bit of a personalit­y clash, but that happens in every walk of life.

‘I told every player before the start of the season that we would review things in the transfer window, and that can benefit both parties. Killian felt totally frustrated, given he had spent so much time injured. When he came back we hoped he’d have an extended run in the team, but in the meantime a few things happened which will remain in-house.

‘I had to go away for a few days last week and when I came back Dermot McKenna told me Killian had decided to move on.

‘I have had no contact with him, but he was entitled to do what he wanted to do and I have no problem with that or with Marc Griffin. Even though it [review] was not written down, I am a man of my word and I will stand over that.

‘Killian is a quality player and would have helped us big-time

I thank them for the effort they put in while they were here and I hope they get the enjoyment out of the game they’re looking for.

[in the remaining games] and I am sorry they are gone, but there’s no point in keeping people against their will. I thank them for the effort they put in while they were here and I hope they get the enjoyment out of the game they’re looking for.’

Looking ahead to Friday’s visit of Limerick to United Park (kick-off 7.45pm), Mahon expressed the hope that the distractio­ns were in the past and the events of the past week might galvanize the squad, and he admitted that Drogheda were entering a crucial phase in the campaign.

‘Overall we have kind of dealt with it now and I don’t really want to speak any more about it.

‘There’s a flood of rumours going around that Drogheda have throw in the towel and Drogheda had to cut the budget, but none of that is true.

‘Training was very, very sharp today [Sunday] and you would never have guessed we were after coming through two heavy defeats and two of the main players had left the club.

‘We are going to carry on and do the best we can to keep out of the bottom three. We will keep fighting and my message to the supporters is to keep supporting us. They are disappoint­ed, but the main thing is that they get behind us because they’re the most important people in the club.

‘We are playing at home on Friday and I always fancy us at home to beat anybody. It’s a huge game for us and we have four or five coming up where we have to be at our highest level we can be to get the points we need.’

AskeAsked whether he was taking some oof the responsibi­lity for DroghDrogh­eda’s poor run, Mahon was unequivoca­l.

‘I am able to look at mymyself in the mirror and sasay I have done my best aat all times and I’m full committed to trying to get ththis club to remain the PPremier Division against ththe odds.

‘I will be judged on resresults, and normally if you go on a run of nine games withowitho­ut a win you don’t be around for too long.

‘I feefeel I have the backing of the chachairma­n and the board and thethey know the job I’m trying to do anand the conditions I’m working under, but I signed the players, I pick the team, I decide what goes on and what doesn’t go on and the buck stops with me.’

Mahon will be seeking to replace both Killian Brennan and Griffin in the transfer window, and in the meantime he suffered a fresh blow on Friday night when Stephen Elliott limped off with a serious-looking ankle problem, and both Jake Hyland and Gavin Brennan remain doubtful for the Limerick match as they recover from ankle injuries, while Thomas Byrne remains suspended.

However, Ryan Masterson (groin) is expected to be fit and both Kevin Farragher and Lloyd Buckley are available for selection.

Meanwhile, Rathmullen Celtic of the North East League have announced that Sean Thornton will be joining them when his Drogheda United contract runs out at the end of the season.

 ??  ?? Ronan Finn of Shamrock Rovers tussles with Drogheda’s Ciaran McGuigan during Friday’s clash at Tallaght
Ronan Finn of Shamrock Rovers tussles with Drogheda’s Ciaran McGuigan during Friday’s clash at Tallaght
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