DIARY
THE Drogheda Schoolchildren’s League are a fine outfit in town and promote the highest standards of football.
Each year, they have an under 14 team that travel to the Kennedy Cup in Limerick, the result of years of preparation as part of the Emerging Talent Programme.
But the efforts of today follow on the success of past years and I came across a match report from 50 years ago.
Back then, they had representative teams at different levels and on this occasion, an English team called Pressmen United came over to play the Drogheda and District Schoolboys’ League under 14 League selection.
The Hertfordshire club, who were touring Ireland, went under 2-0 to the home side.
After a scoreless first half Drogheda took the lead five minutes after the interval through Damien Berrill (Marian).
A fine move by Joe Rock and Frank Taaffe ended in Niall O’Dowd scoring Drogheda’s second goal to clinch the issue.
After the match the visitors were entertained by the Drogheda League’ officials during which it was expressed that Drogheda would travel to Boreham Wood in 1968.
The Drogheda selection was: Paddy Boylan (Brugha), Joe Rock (Brugha), Francis Hurley (Boyne Celtic), Chris Early (North End), Noel Lynch, capt. (Brugha), Pat Pentony (Boyne Celtic), Niall O’Dowd (Marian), Eamohn Murphy (Glen Hearts), Frank Taaffe (Brugha), Damian Berrill (Marian), Gerry Reynolds (North End). 12th man, Pat Harte.