Drogs ⚽ Tribesmen ⚽ Dejection

Anthony McIntyre ⚽ On our way to Weavers Park yesterday, myself and Paddy discussed the chances of Drogheda United taking all three points from the game against Galway United.

While many of the world's problems have been tackled, ideologies dissected and solutions found in that car, the Drogs present a conundrum. They can play well but not consistently enough to get the points that would hoist them out of the relegation zone.

Paddy was more positive than me. He felt a victory was on the cards. I pointed out that the home side was up against the best defence in the league. Only one team this campaign has put a brace past them. I guess the difference between us was that I felt the Drogs could win whereas he believed they should win. We both agreed that three points were vital but to emerge as winner-takes-all the Drogs had to maintain their concentration right to the end, with no switching off once the ninety minute mark had been reached. This would prove crucial if any lead was slender.

With that worked out, the three of us made out way to the usual halfway line seats, Paddy's son making up the third leg. My own didn't turn out. Kitted out in Drogheda colours with a range of badges splattered over my beanie and Liverpool top, a photographer asked to take a snap, perhaps the seeming eccentricity of the spectacle drawing her interest.

Prior to the kickoff a minute's silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives during the Great Hunger of the 1840s.

Three minutes in and the Tribesmen showed that they had come to battle. A fine save by Andrew Wogan led to a corner. Galway were in front. It made me think we were watching Liverpool concede the obligatory early goal. From where we sat it seemed to be mayhem in the defence. I just don't think Rob Slevin had any right to score. He was allowed to shoulder the ball across the line. With every corner after that we took a deep breath in anticipation of the worst.

Two minutes later Darragh Markey executed a side-footed strike, his effort passing the wrong side of the post. On the twenty minute mark, the same player made a delicate but ultimately ineffectual chip which was easily gathered by the Galway keeper. The Drogs' most industrious forward continued to harry the opposition back line. An awkward bounce from a ball en route from the Drogheda box left the Galway midfield and defence stranded. Markey was not quite through on goal, but with an option to his right a Tribesman chopped him down just outside the penalty area. Yellow card and a free kick. Drogheda's man of the match Evan Weir placed his drive into the corner of the net. It was a goal Trent Alexander Arnold would have been proud to have claimed.

In the 38th minute a great Galway block by Brendan Walsh in the visitors' goal presented the Drogs with an open net at their mercy. Unfortunately, at the very second the Drog struck so too did Darwin disease, leaving him to look very much like No Net Nunez. Minutes later an injury brought the game to a halt for almost ten minutes. The animated beckoning from players to medics suggested something serious. As paramedics raced onto the pitch the atmosphere in the stadium grew tense. Necks craned and eyes strained in a bid to peer through the scrum of first responders surrounding Warren Davis, whose parents were among the watching spectators. I said to Paddy that although we were right next door to the Lourdes Hospital, the organisers of the health service here would send an ambulance from Navan. Fans and players from both sides clapped as the injured player was stretchered off.

The second half was as lively as the first. Some fine goalkeeping kept Evan Weir at bay. But when Zishim Bawa curled his beautiful strike beyond Brendan Walsh victory seemed secure for the Claret and Blue. It was at that point that Paddy injected a word of caution: as the ninety minute mark looms the Drogs get ropey. How right that proved to be. Drogheda clearances began to go wayward. Less than a minute into time added on the Tribesmen were level. Three minutes later they were in front, Stephen Walsh delivering the coup de grâce after Maurice Nugent had pulled the Tribesmen level.

There wasn't a large travelling contingent, considering the distance, but those who made the journey from Galway, left feeling they got real value for money.

It was different for us who had turned out to see the Drogs. We left dejected. For the first time since going to Weavers I could hear grumbling from some fans leaving the stadium. Predictions of relegation were being uttered in unflattering tones. Having watched Liverpool self implode, there was a feeling of deja vu.

On one previous occasion this season have Galway scored two goals in a game. In fifteen previous games they had only managed on eight occasions to find the net. Yet here they are bagging three in a single outing. It has to tell us something about the frailty of the Drogheda defensive set up, which is certain to be weakened even further with the departure of Evan Weir to Walsall next month.

Having carved out a memorable draw at leaders Shelbourne last week, last night's performance where the team folds in the dying minutes, not only denied the Drogs the chance to go level on points with Sligo who failed miserably at home to Bohemians last evening, but has also handed them a free ticket to a play off, if not relegation itself. Particularly so with Dundalk's late winner against Shamrock Rovers leaving the Oriel men breathing down the neck of their Weavers counterpart. The Drogs are circling the drain and unless they get the finger, pointing at themselves, out they risk disappearing down it.

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