Latest news with #KevinDoherty
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
No sense of panic from manager Kevin Doherty as Drogheda United reel from loss of Douglas James-Taylor to Bohemians
Drogheda United's squad will be severely depleted again for Friday's home league game against Galway United (kick-off 7.45pm), but Kevin Doherty says he won't be rushed into making panic signings now that the July transfer window is open. Along with a long injury list, the manager will have to plan without Douglas James-Taylor who was unveiled by Bohemians on Tuesday as their new striker, but the Drogs boss pointed out that the team have only one other competitive fixture this month - at home to Crumlin United in the FAI Cup on the 18th.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drogheda United's heavy defeat in Derry doesn't tell the full story
Everyone seems to have an opinion about Drogheda United's recent performances and which camp you're in depends on whether you're a glass half-empty or glass half-full character. Those who are giving out about negative tactics and berating players for all manner of 'mistakes' will justify their view by stating that the Boynesiders have won just once in their last six games and have slipped from first to fourth in the table. Taking a different view, though, the two defeats Drogheda have shipped in that time have been against the current top two teams and only the top two - Shamrock Rovers and Derry City - have taken more points than Kevin Doherty's men from the last three matches. The Drogs have suffered all manner of problems in recent weeks and yet they're hanging in there, still competing for a coveted European spot through the league as well as planning to make a strong defence of their FAI Cup crown. They weren't exactly down to the bare bones at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium last Friday night, but there was little experience on the subs bench and a couple of the starters probably shouldn't have been involved at all given their current level of fitness. The opening half-hour didn't exactly set pulses racing as Derry probed without looking particularly dangerous, while Drogheda held their line and mounted a couple of promising attacks. Gavin Whyte sent one shot straight into the hands of visiting keeper Luke Dennison and a Sam Todd effort was blocked by Conor Keeley, but the Boynesiders' defence was eventually unlocked all too easily by a Derry corner kick. Michael Duffy played the set piece short, received the ball back and floated in a cross from the byeline that was headed home by Todd under no real pressure. The second goal arrived just three minutes later and was equally poor from a Drogheda perspective as Duffy got in behind the defence, evaded the outrushing Dennison and hooked the ball goal-wards. Andrew Quinn somehow got back to scoop the ball off the line, but none of his colleagues were on their toes to complete the clearance - indeed three of them just stood and watched - and Ronan Boyce was following up to divert the rebound to the net. At 2-0 Drogheda already had a mountain to climb, but 60 seconds later they had a great chance to haul themselves right back into the match when Aaron Harper-Bailey - making only his second start of the season - whipped a superb ball in behind the Derry defence for the on-rushing Thomas Oluwa, who bore down on goal, only to have his driven shot superbly parried by Brian Maher. A Carl Winchester goal on the stroke of half-time was ruled out for offside and the score remained at 2-0 for most of the second half, during which youngsters Dare Kareem, Scott Brady and Bridel Bosakani all saw game time and made useful contributions. Conor Keeley had a couple of efforts which failed to hit the target and Douglas James-Taylor had a shot blocked by Mark Connolly, but for the most part Derry were comfortable and they put the icing on the cake from their perspective with a third goal deep into stoppage time. Again Duffy was involved, taking an angled shot which Dennison blocked rather unconvincingly with his boot, and the rebound seemed to strike Danny Mullen on the shin before squirming over the goal-line. DERRY: Brian Maher 7; Ronan Boyce 7, Hayden Cann 7, Mark Connolly 7, Kevin Holt 7, Sam Todd 7; Gavin Whyte 8 (Danny Mullen 76, 7), Sadou Diallo 7 (Adam O'Reilly 63, 6), Carl Winchester 8 (Paul McMullan 76, 6), Michael Duffy 8; Liam Boyce 7 (Robbie Benson 75, 6). Subs not used: Shane Ferguson, Ciaron Harkin, Pat Hoban, Seaon Patton, Arlo Doherty. DROGHEDA: Luke Dennison 7; Andrew Quinn 7, Conor Keeley 7, Aaron Harper-Bailey 8; Owen Lambe 7, Ryan Brennan 6 (Scott Brady 55, 7), Luke Heeney 6, Conor Kane 7 (Kieran Cruise 55, 7); Shane Farrell 6 (Darragh Markey 60, 7); Douglas James-Taylor 7 (Bridel Bosakani 88), Thomas Oluwa 6 (Dare Kareem 60, 7). Subs not used: Zishim Bawa, Sean McCarthy, Evan Haddock, Jack Brady Attendance: 3,700
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Shelbourne fans spot hilarious twist in Damien Duff's exit as fans choose to laugh rather than cry
SHELBOURNE fans have spotted an unusual set of odds given by a bookmaker for the next permanent Shelbourne manager. A bookmaker had Damien Duff as the favourite candidate to fill the role he has just left vacant as Shelbourne boss at 2/1 odds. Advertisement 2 The two-time Premier League winner will likely have his sights set on a new challenge 2 The list contains many names that would be familiar with Shelbourne and LOI fans Credit: Cannybet The above bookmaker has Duff as the favourite to return, while fellow ex-Shelbourne bosses Kevin Doherty, Ian Morris, Pat Fenlon and Dermot Keely are also in the running. Ex-Shelbourne players Jim Crawford, Ciaran Kilduff, Jim Gannon, Stuart Byrne, Stephen Elliott, Pat Scully and Paul Doolin also make up the bizarre table. The former Ireland international The decision has come as a shock to the League of Ireland community and even gained international media attention. Advertisement Read more on League of Ireland League rivals Alan Reynolds and Stephen Bradley Shelbourne fans were left amused by the bookmakers odds, one fan saying: "Honestly that 2/1 wouldn't surprise me." Another fan persisted: "Duff at 2/1 are great odds." While most fans have another League of Ireland manager in mind saying "it's got to be Kevin Doherty, you would think. His assistant manager Joey O'Brien has Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog O'Brien's first match came just 24 hours after he was named interim boss. Despite a strong team performance his Shelbourne side could only Saipan film trailer splits opinion as Irish football fans voice concern about Roy Keane portrayal The former West Ham star spoke about Duff's exit after the game saying: "'It was a shock for everyone in the football club. "From a personal point of view, I absolutely loved the manager. He will always be my manager.' Advertisement Duff's last game in charge of the 'auld reds' came on Friday in Despite his
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Early goal gets Drogs victory over Sligo
SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Drogheda United 1 Sligo Rovers 0 If there were question marks about how Drogheda United's exit from European competition might affect Kevin Doherty's players, those have emphatically been answered. A good showing against Shamrock Rovers last Monday did not result in points. Four days on and despite constant Sligo Rovers pressure throughout, they did the job. Douglas-James Taylor scored the winner. As expected, Drogheda owner and co-chairman Ben Boycott was present at the game. He addressed Kevin Doherty and his players in light of their UEFA Conference League expulsion. The Trivela Group CEO was also seen speaking to supporters prior to kick-off, likely offering apologies and assurances in equal measure. Drogheda had won all three of Sligo's most trips to Boyneside, by an aggregate score of 13-1. It took them only three minutes to extend their eye-catching statistic further, with James-Taylor hitting the net. Warren Davis robbed Jad Hakiki of the ball in the centre circle and he raced towards goal before feeding strike-partner James-Taylor. The Walsall loanee – in what may have been his last home game as a Drogs player – blasted a shot past Sam Sargeant. There are usually plenty of goals when these sides meet and while that goal was not added to in the first half, it was not for a lack of effort on either side. Conor Kane smashed a shot against the corner of bar and upright and before that Andy Quinn and Warren Davis shot over the bar. The latter, certainly, should have done better. Luke Dennison was called into action multiple times to deny an impressive Sligo an equaliser that they warranted in truth. He saved at his near post from Wilson Waweru and then Owen Elding before he scooped Will Fitzgerald's shot over the bar after the restart. It was a confident performance from John Russell's team, in an attacking sense, but there were familiar failings at the back. Only misfortune and misfires kept the deficit at one goal. The Bit O'Red were culpable at the other end too especially when Jad Hakiki shot wide with the goal at his mercy in the 64th minute and then substitute Cian Kavanagh headed wide soon after. DROGHEDA UNITED: Dennison; Cooper, Keeley, Quinn; Cruise (Markey, 46), Heeney, Farrell, Kane; Brennan; James-Taylor, Davis (Oluwa, 79). SLIGO ROVERS: Sargeant; Reynolds, McElroy (McDonagh, 35), Mahon, Hutchinson; Doyle-Hayes, Mallon (Van Hattum, 69); Elding, Hakiki (Lomboto, 83), Fitzgerald; Waweru (Kavanagh, 69).
The Irish Sun
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Drogheda United's owners can't blame FAI or anyone else for European mess, the responsibility was Trivela's
THE TIMES reported on Tuesday that Liverpool are looking to buy LaLiga outfit Getafe. Manchester City are top of the City Football Group, Chelsea and Strasbourg have the same parent company and then there is Red Bull. 2 Kevin Doherty guided Drogheda United to an unlikely FAI Cup triumph last season 2 Board member Conor Hoey spoke to SunSport this week about the club's dilemma The energy drink group also has a minority stake in Leeds United. And the individual who chairs their largest shareholder is also part of Glasgow Rangers' ownership. Then you have Manchester United minority owner There are reports that Newcastle United's owners will buy it if he sells. There are also owner links between Crystal Palace and Lyon, Brighton and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Aston Villa and Vitoria Guimaraes plus PSG and SC Braga. Read More On Irish Football And of course, Last season, Manchester City and Girona, and Manchester United and Nice, were all passed to play in Europe after doing the legal bits necessary to satisfy Uefa. And this year, Nottingham Forest were put in a blind trust by Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis for that same reason before Forest fell short on the pitch. But they did write to Uefa Most read in Football So the worms have long since crawled out of the can when it comes to multi-club ownership and that is not going to change. Just as members made way for rich benefactors, who were replaced by richer benefactors, oligarchs, investment vehicles and wealth funds, football finds a way to find more money. Watch Messi score stunning free-kick as Inter Miami stun Porto 2-1m We can question the pros and cons of them all, but the only truly bad owners are the chancers who leave a club high and dry when the funds run out. When the owners fund the good days, little else matters as James Montague's book 'Engulfed' highlighted in chapters talking to many Newcastle United fans. And it is why Drogheda United members voted 90-1 for their sale to Walsall's owners Trivela in 2023. And while the story of the Drogs since then will centre around Kevin Doherty's management and their players, it was made possible because of Trivela. The Drogs' FAI Cup victory as a part-time club was a fairytale last year. But it was only possible due to Trivela's largesse. Accounts on the club's website show Drogheda made a net loss of €792,848 last season, and total liabilities exceed total assets by €1,042,185. It is why board member Conor Hoey — who led the search for the investment that saw Trivela take over — is sure their expulsion from Europe under multi-club rules is just a blip. He told me this week: 'This changes nothing. Trivela are still the right owner. We won the Cup because of their investment in our players and management. 'Of course we're hugely disappointed, particularly for the players and supporters, but Uefa won't break us.' LOOK INWARDS The club can argue Uefa gave them a raw deal, and cite previous examples where they say clubs were given more time. And one of the three arbitrators at the Court of Arbitration in Sport agreed with the grounds of their appeal. They can also question the FAI on why they did not forward on the relevant rule changes regarding multi-club ownership to Drogheda. Everyone in the league can wonder why no club had their arm twisted to apply for a European licence in case Drogs were expelled. But just as clubs bear responsibility for fielding ineligible players after the FAI compounded clubs' registration mistakes, clubs should not rely on others to hold their hand. And Trivela's first statement on the Drogs in 2023 promised 'to increase investment in the club's front-office operations' before it mentioned football or fans. Club chairperson Ben Boycott said this week when he did list grievances, 'accountability falls on us at DUFC and at Trivela Group'. The problem is not that there was no leeway for Drogheda, but that it was hoped there would be leeway when the issue was spotted. Because while multi-club models are probably here to stay, it is up to clubs to navigate it. After all, Silkeborg's qualification for Europe should not have been a surprise given they had done so twice in the previous three years.
