Drogs ⚽ Bohs ⚽ Tequila

Anthony McIntyre ⚽ It would not be right to say the Drogheda United supporters were hushed in anticipation as we filed into Weavers Park on a wet and miserable Friday evening.

Ultras

There is nothing hushed about the Ultras, and they were in full voice, and view, from the get go. Although the victor's spoils had already gone to the Dublin side in three previous clashes this season, recent spirited performances by the Drogs had helped instil confidence that the Bohs could be beaten. To boot, the away form of Bohemians has been dreadful, their last victory achieved at the Weavers five months ago. Ominous? The Drogs had hoped not. In the end we trudged home disappointed, not before applauding the players for their efforts, the cup run over. No Aviva on final day for Droghedians.

It was a disappointing outing, with the Drogs being unable to dig deep enough into the reserves to pull out a match winning performance. The Drogs need a Johnny Deep rather than a Johnny Dep. On the big cup stage acting as a forward line is not going to win games. Playmaking without penetration is style over substance.

Drogheda never settled. The Bohs looked the slicker side, better on the ball and able to make more efficient use of it in front of goal. But for yet another outstanding save by teenage goalkeeper Andrew Wogan the Dublin side would have taken an early lead. The big sides outside Ireland must have scouts on him by now. As the game progressed with hostile forces camped in front of the Drogheda goal, forcing corner after corner, it was crucial to make the break on level terms. Two minutes from the saving whistle the blade dropped.

Whatever was said in the dressing room at half time seemed to work . . . for a while. The Drogs emerged galvanised and battered at the Bohs defence, forcing a penalty for a clumsy tackle that even Virgil Van Dyk would have pulled out of. Rather than press home their advantage the team rested on its laurels and paid the price.

The Bohs bring a large and raucous travelling fan base with them. Their ultras countered ours, each literally having a flare for the occasion.

Each time I raised my hip flask it was not to the supporters across the park. Thinking it something of a special occasion - a cup clash - I had filled it with Tequila but there was no sunrise, the rain serving as a salutary reminder of a dismal night. The neat Mexican spirit dulled the dismay but was limited compensation for no Mexican wave.

While Jonathan Afolabi delivered the coup-de-grâce, the Bohs demonstrated the value of a solid defensive formation. Block after block was put in as the Drogs were forced back and tried their luck from distance. The defence they faced acted as a filter ensuing very little got through to their keeper.

Still, when we fail to extract pleasure from our own team's fortunes there is always schadenfreude to be derived from how rivals fare. The loudest cheer of the night went up when it come over the Tannoy that Dundalk were trailing Galway 4-0.

Still. the nagging thought - if Galway can reach the semi-final, why not the Drogs?

⏩Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.