Drogs braced for another postponement

DROGHEDA United boss Tim Clancy fears his managerial debut in the SSE Airtricity League could be stalled for a second time as the ‘Beast From the East’ edges ever closer to the east coast.

Last week inadequate floodlighting put paid to Drogheda’s opening game of the season against Finn Harps, and the prospects of this his Friday’s match with Shelbourne ne at Tolka Park (7.45pm) going ahead already look bleak because of the forecast combination of snow and freezing temperatures towards the end of the week.

‘I know the weather is going to be quite poor, but I’m really hoping the game does go ahead,’ Clancy commented, speaking on Monday afternoon.

‘You just don’t know if not having a game behind us is going to be a disadvantage. They’ve had a game against UCD, but they lost it and that might put a bit more pressure on them.

‘We’re certainly chomping at the bit to go out and get a game and perform, and it could work to our advantage.’

Clancy isn’t short of information on Shelbourne, having watched them play in pre-season along with his assistant Kevin Doherty who was himself manager of Shelbourne for an 18-month spell up to June 2016.

‘Kevin knows a majority of their players,’ he agreed, ‘but it’s a matter of preparing as best we can. We’ll worry about ourselves and want to control what we do and apply ourselves the best way we can.

‘Every game in this league is going to be tough and they are coming off a defeat, and in their first home game they will want to get a result.

‘They have some quality players and some experience in there as well, and they’ve brought in [striker] David O’Sullivan who is a handful and works very hard.

‘They have a bit of pace in their side too, and it’s going to be an interesting battle.’

Drogheda had no injury worries or suspensions as they prepared for training last night, with further sessions planned for Wednesday and Thursday, weather permitting.

The signing of Lloyd Buckley was completed in time for last week’s game and the versatile defender was in the starting lineup ahead of Colm Deasy at rightback, but Clancy agreed that Shelbourne provide a different kind of test to Finn Harps and there could be changes from last week week’s chosen XI.

Sh Shels are likely to be without Aid Aidan Collins, while their former Drogheda defender foAss season.

Alan Byrne serves a suspension carried over from last

Meanwhile, looking back on last Friday night, Clancy was left deeply frustrated by the ppostponement of the game agai against Finn Harps.

‘It was disappointing not to geget the game to go ahead because, as I said to Soccer Republic, we had prepared really well. We’d prepared for seven weeks, with that game in mind, and we were looking forward to it.’

Work began yesterday (Monday) at United Park on removing all of the existing lamps and housings and replacing them, while mini-pillars and distribution boxes are being replaced and rewired and the main control switchboard and fuse board are being replaced also.

To allow the work to be completed and tested, Drogheda’s scheduled home game with St Mochta’s in the EA Sports Cup next Monday has been moved to Porterstown Road, with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The Boynesiders were due to host Athlone Town in the league on Friday March 9th, but that game has been put back until Sunday 11th, with a 3pm kick-off.

Drogheda’s postponed match against Finn Harps has been rescheduled for Monday March 26th at 7.45pm.