Christy snatches win for Drogheda
WITH JUST eight minutes remaining of the extra time period in Sunday’s first round Dublin City Cup tie at St Mel’s Park, Drogheda centre half, Christy Lougheed broke the stalemate with a goal from a melee to give the Boynesiders their place in the next round.
Lougheed had gone upfield for, a Dermot O’Shea corner and the ball was flicked on by Ronnie Whelan to the centre-half who hooked the ball to the roof of the net as goalkeeper. Mick O Brien, was left stranded. Even though the goal was by no means a classic effort and the game itself certainly didn’t live up to expectations, the fact remains that Drogheda had added another “scalp” to their growing list this season.
In beating a solid and capable Midland side, which included two former Drogheda players, Tommy Pullen and John Givens, the Boynesiders showed that they are not going to give up their great start to the season too easily and that it will take a team at the top of its form to beat them.
Drogheda were again without Billy Duffy, while Mick Conroy, who had a leg muscle injury, was also an absentee. Pat Whelan continued at centre-froward in Duffy’s absence, while Sean O’Brien, released by Shamrock Rovers in time to play, made his debut in the right wing position.
The man who has made the greatest impact since coming on to the team a few weeks back, however, is former Bohemians’ player, Andy McSwiney. This tall, strong player continues to please with his capable, confident all-round play. With Larry Corbally, he played no small part in Sunday’s win by snuffing out the menace of Athlone’s £2.000 buy from Charlton Athletic, John Minnock.
Drogheda : Baxter, Dowling, McSwiney, Corbally, Lougheed, Meagan, O’Brien, R. Whelan, P. Whelan, Cooke, O’Shea.