Drogheda Town ‘rocked' again but renewed hope for Boyne Rovers

Irish Independent

29-04-2025

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 1
DROGHEDA Town will be sick of the sight of Blackrock College after yet another single-goal defeat in their latest meeting at Blackstone Motors Marian Park last week.
Following on from their Lummy O'Reilly Cup semi-final loss just a few days previously, Town were hoping for a small manner of revenge, but they were ultimately found wanting.
Looking at the three meetings between the teams this season, Blackrock won them on an aggregate score of 5-1, with five different scorers across those three matches.
This was another physical encounter between them, with tackles flying in from the kick-off. Town had some chances in the first half, but just before the break Blackrock exploited a defensive mistake to take a one-goal lead into the interval.
Town made a double change on the hour mark, with Mark Murray and Luke Kimmage entering the fray, but while Town started to get on top they just couldn't find that elusive equaliser.
A Blackrock player picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul in the closing stages as Town continued to press forward and things threatened to boil over late on, but ultimately both sides managed to finish with 11 men on the field.
Most importantly, though, Blackrock took home all three points and Town's efforts went unrewarded.
Sean Brennan's side welcome Baldoyle United to Marian Park this Wednesday night for their final home game of the season and will hope to replicate their earlier meeting when an Emmanuel Santos goal was enough to give Drogheda a 1-0 win.
Town then complete their season with two away fixtures, against Rivervalley Rangers next Tuesday and Leixlip United on Friday May 9.
Drogheda TOWN: Luke Haggans, Kyle Nulty (Andy Hickey), Josh Dunbar, Sean Berney (Mark Murray), Santi El-Pietra, Conor Costello (Luke Kimmage), Conor Haggans, James Burke (Patrick O'Connell), Altay Guneyer, Kartal Martin, Bashmil Nyakambiri (Conor Shevlin).
Boyne Rovers picked up their first point since December as they drew 1-1 in their penultimate match away to Peamount United on Friday. It may prove to be a crucial result as it keeps them two points ahead of Drumcondra who occupy the second relegation spot. The Dublin side, though, have one game remaining which is at home to promotion-chasing Monread. Peamount are one of the sides battling at the bottom and a win for either team on Friday would have been enough to secure safety. It was the hosts who made the better start and a goal inside seven minutes rocked the Drogheda team. However, the return of Darren Thornton in the last few weeks has been huge for Rovers and he was instrumental in setting up Farai Chari's leveller on 37 minutes. Rovers were then dealt another blow when they were reduced to 10 men. with James Buckley shown a straight red card on 44 minutes. The second half saw an onslaught from the hosts. Nathan Murray was kept busy in goal and he picked up a yellow card for time-wasting, but Rovers held on for a precious point. They finish their season on Sunday with a home tie against a Stella Maris side who have only played 11 games in their league campaign. Elsewhere, Drogheda United's Leinster Senior League side were beaten 6-2 away to St James Gate on Friday night. They fell behind inside the opening two minutes before a Jarlath Jones free kick levelled matters on 11 minutes. The Drogs eventually took a 2-1 lead into half-time courtesy of a Josh Salako strike. However, Gate levelled at 2-2 inside five minutes of the restart and then four goals in the final 20 minutes capped off a miserable night for the Boynesiders. Drogheda United welcome Peamount to Marley's Lane this coming Sunday, with the Dublin side in freefall. A win will be enough to secure safety for Andy McCartney's team.