Horgan setting his sights high

AFTER steadying the ship in his first full campaign in charge, Robbie Horgan is setting his sights on Drogheda Town taking the first steps back up the e Leinster Senior League ladder.

The Marian Park-based club looked to be on course for a fourth successive relegation before coming good in the second half of last season, and Horgan wants that momentum to continue as Town prepare to host Ballyfermot United this Friday (7.45pm) in their opening Major Sunday fixture of 2017/18.

A run of seven wins, one draw and just three defeats in their final 11 league games lifted Town to eighth in the table and they also reached the Lummy y O’Reilly Cup semi-finals, and that form m helped convince Horgan (pictured) too stay on the Boyneside.

‘It was definitely a factor,’ he agreed d as he looked ahead to the new season.

‘In the transfer window last December and January we brought in seven or eight players and that made a huge difference, and we could have got promoted if we had started the season the way we finished it.

‘We have kept the majority of them for this season and our ambition is always ththe same - promotionti isi wellll within our capabilities - but we have to be realistic as well.

‘It’s a tough league and Kilbarrack are after being added in to bring it up to 14 teams. St Kevin’s, Collinstown, Willows and St Francis are in as well and they are all well-established names.

‘We’re going under the radar a bit, but that’s exactly how we like it.’

There seems to be more of a buzz aroaround the club this season and Horgan ganHorgan has noticed that there’s a greater appappetite for training. Attendance during prepre-season has been around the 22 mamark throughout the summer and he saysays he no longer has to ‘beg’ players to tturn up.

In terms of pre-season friendlies, ToTown won two, drew two and lost two of tthe first six games and were due to comcomplete preparations for the league camcampaign with a match away to Ardee CelCeltic on Sunday.

NotN everything has gone to plan - LeLeon Hughes looks set to miss the ententire season after picking up a knee carcartilage injury in training. •BBoyne Rovers will once again compete in the Major 1 Sunday division this season, one tier below Drogheda Town, and they are away to Enniskerry YC this Friday at 8pm.