Drogheda United 2-1 Dundalk FC

Match Report

Goals in either half from James Bolger and Warren Davis saw Drogheda United dump Dundalk out of the 2024 Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup at the second-round stage following a 2-1 win in the Louth Derby at Weavers Park on Friday night.

Bar the opening couple of minutes and a late rally, 12-time winners Dundalk were never at the races and gifted Drogheda the lead past the quarter-hour mark when ‘keeper Felix Goddard fumbled a flick from home debutant Bolger into the net.

Dundalk enjoyed plenty of possession after the half-time break but it was only Goddard who was tested as he twice denied Conor Kane, the second stop particularly impressive as he kept his team in the game.

However, as they searched for an equaliser, the Lilywhites were caught cold in the 73rd minute when substitute Davis nipped in between two defenders and hooked the ball over Goddard to give Drogheda – without a win in their previous ten matches – a commanding lead.

Dundalk did reply in the second minute of injury-time when on-loan defender Bobby Faulkner headed in, but despite throwing everything at the home side in the seven minutes of injury-time, they could not find an equaliser.

For the tie, Jon Daly made two changes to the team that beat Drogheda in the league seven days earlier. Paul Doyle, an early withdrawal in that clash with what is a long-term issue, was replaced by Scott McGill who made his first start for the club, while Jamie Gullan made a welcome return to the lineup following injury, replacing Eoin Kenny.

Dundalk had an early opportunity when McGill nicked possession deep in home territory and toe-poked the ball into the path of Gullan in the box but he flashed his shot off target. However, Drogheda responded well to that and put their rivals under strong pressure.

The Boynesiders first tested Goddard with a 14th-minute free-kick just outside the box, Kane and Ryan Brennan standing over it, with the latter lifting it over the wall only for the on-loan ‘keeper to comfortably push it away.

Goddard, though, was beaten in the 17th minute when Luke Heeney’s deep delivery from the left wing was met by Bolger whose flick dropped into the net after a touch from the Blackburn Rovers man, who fumbled it in when it appeared easy to deal with.

Dundalk, in truth, were poor in the opening half-hour. Jad Hakiki attempted to set about bringing them to life and should have had a free-kick after fancy footwork before, moments later, hitting a shot that did not have the power to trouble Luke Dennison.

There were no changes at the interval. On 52 minutes, Kane struck straight at Goddard as Drogheda looked for a second goal. At the opposite end, past the hour, Ryan O’Kane went down under a challenge from Elicha Ahui in the area but no penalty was given.

That came in a spell where Dundalk were starting to look more likely to get back into the game but then Goddard produced a fine save to deny Kane. Soon, there was a double substitution from Daly as Aodh Dervin came in for his debut and Norman Garbett returned from a hamstring injury.

But before the pair could make an impact on the game, Drogheda doubled their lead. Dundalk felt they should have had a free-kick close to the Drogheda box but, seconds later, the ball was in their net as Davis took full advantage of hesitancy in the defence to make it 2-0.

Daly reacted by bringing in Kenny and then Cami Elliott and Dan Pike. Shortly after those introductions, Mayowa Animasahun attacked a corner but the ball flew behind.

Dundalk continued to push for a way back into the game, and there was a glimmer of hope in the 92nd minute when Faulkner headed into the net from a long punt forward. But they could not force extra-time as the club’s winless run in Drogheda in the FAI Cup continued.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Luke Dennison, Elicha Ahui, Andrew Quinn, Dave Webster, James Bolger (Jack Keaney 81), Conor Kane, Ryan Brennan, Luke Heeney, Shane Farrell (Warren Davis 70), Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley 65), Douglas James-Taylor. Subs not used: Andrew Wogan (GK), Cameron Feehan, Sam Case, James Byrne, Killian Cailloce.

DUNDALK FC: Felix Goddard, John Mountney, Mayowa Animasahun, Bobby Faulkner, Seán Keogh (Aodh Dervin 67), Robbie Benson (Cami Elliott 83), Scott McGill, Daryl Horgan, Jad Hakiki (Norman Garbett 67), Ryan O’Kane (Eoin Kenny 77), Jamie Gullan (Dan Pike 83). Subs not used: Ross Munro (GK), Robbie Mahon, Luke Mulligan, Hayden Cann.

REFEREE: Damien MacGraith.