04-07-2025
Dare Kareem (19) proves the Drogheda winner on his first start, delivering the only goal against Galway
The 19-year-old striker was handed a first full start by Kevin Doherty and repaid his manager handsomely with the goal that secured victory. For Doherty, this was his first managerial career win over John Caulfield.
Since the Court of Arbitration of Sport decision which saw Drogheda expelled from the Uefa Conference League, they have now played two home games and won both 1-0.
They remain a hard side to keep down.
Kareem's winner arrived four minutes into the second half. It was Drogheda's one and only clear-cut opportunity in 98 total minutes of play. Owen Lambe's throw into the box was met once and then twice by Galway defenders, but neither cleared the ball.
The striker – a St Patrick's Athletic academy product – showed lightning reactions to hook the ball beyond Evan Watts.
Galway had dominated the first half but made nothing count. Stephen Walsh, back in favour now, had two shots on goal while wing-back Jeannot Esua mishit an effort. Canadian-born Trinidad and Tobago international Malcolm Shaw had an early goal ruled out by the offside flag too.
If those of a Galway persuasion thought Kareem's goal might bring about a second-half onslaught, they were wrong. Luke Dennison was hardly troubled for the remainder and did not fall foul of the new eight-second rule affecting goalkeepers who like to hold onto the ball for a little longer than they should.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Dennison; Quinn (Bolger, 70), Keeley, Harper-Bailey; Lambe, Brennan (Farrell, 72), Heeney, Kane; Markey; Oluwa, Kareem.
GALWAY UNITED: Watts; Buckley (Brouder, 58), Cunningham (Horgan, 90+4), Slevin; Esua, Borden (Bolger, 72), Hurley (Piesold, 58), Burns; McCarthy; Walsh, Shaw (Tollett, 58).
