Drogs ⚽ Dundalk ⚽ Derby Delight

Anthony McIntyre ⚽ An early afternoon kickoff was not quite what we are used to.

The Drogs Huddle

I didn't take the hip flask as there would still be a lot of the day left by the time the final whistle blew. It was the first Drogheda United match I have watched where I would have been able to pass a breathalyser. Paddy asked during the game if I missed my bevy. No prizes for the answer. A glass of Jack D before bed last night helped drown any sorrows.

Not that there were any after that game. Drogheda pulled off a stunning victory in added time despite being a man down to send their fans into a state of delirium. When the ref called time, the noise level was the loudest I have yet heard at Weavers Park.

In our usual seats from an hour before kickoff, at the half way line, our view of the pitch was temporarily blocked by the Ultras hoisting their massive banner. They are such a huge part of the stadium's atmosphere that their 12th man status is very much a factor in the home victories that the Drogs grind out. It is not uncommon during the course of a match to witness a player gesticulating to the Ultras to up the decibels.

The first half was riddled with too many stoppages. The fourth official allocated three minutes of injury time despite one stoppage itself lasting for about that length. As the half drew to a close our agitation increased. It had the feel of a draw to it which was just not enough for the home side. While considered a must win for both sides, there was no appetite to be generous and share the points.

Within ten minutes of the restart the Drogs were a goal up. A crucial intervention by Gary Deegan led to Frants Pierrot adroitly slotting home. Despite having the initiative, the warning signs were creeping in. A mix up in the Drogs defence led to an almost certain Dundalk equaliser being denied by a brilliant goal line clearance, bringing to mind an Andy Robinson last man standing similar effort a few weeks ago in a Liverpool game. Minutes later calamity usurped confusion as the Drogs keeper raced out of his box to floor an opponent. Red card and backs to the wall time. I could sense Paddy's unease which proved justified. Andrew Wogan, the replacement keeper, failed to get his frame firmly behind the incoming free kick. Dundalk were level and had the bit between their teeth. A point for the Drogs suddenly looked tantalising.

Paddy predicted a lot of added time due to the stoppages but never did it cross my mind that there might be as much as a full ten minutes. Claret and blue hearts sank. And then, even for heathens like me - a miracle. Our Lady of Lourdes had rushed from the hospital named after her right beside the ground to send a thunderbolt from Heaven straight into the Dundalk engine room well into added time. Victory had been snatched from the jaws of defeat.

Fathers

Derby clashes have an added edge and this was no different. Including yesterday's clash there have been 23 red cards issued in the last 33 Louth derbies. It is rare for two keepers to be given their marching orders in the same game, although the Dundalk goalie was shown his after the match had ended. That's the passion with which these matches are played out.

& Sons

The one sour note was the lobbing of flares onto the pitch by the Dundalk fans, leading to the game being halted for a short time. There is a tiny unrepresentative element of fans that continue to risk the bulk of supporters being banned from away games because of their dangerous behaviour. Flares are not toys. They are an offensive weapon and should have no place in soccer stadia.

Drogheda United are not in a relegation battle just yet, but the signs are ominous. Second from bottom, the drop is not merely a remote possibility if the team does not up its overall game. Lower division soccer is what awaits this town. Yet, while the Drogs sit in ninth place on fourteen points, the bandwidth for five of the teams above them is pretty narrow at six points. Galway United, who lead the pack chasing down the top three, have bagged twenty points this season. That gap can be bridged and if the Drogs can continue to dig out victories like yesterday's there is no reason why they cannot be competing with the best teams in the League of Ireland Premier next season. Victories at home and draws away will see them safe. No easy task. Their last two games against Dublin sides saw them lose 0-4 and 0-1 respectively. Those away results need to be arrested so that by the time Dundalk return to Weavers Park for the last game of the season in November, the Drogs can be certain that their place in top flight football is secure.

⏩Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.