Drogs ⚽ Dundalk ⚽ Revenge

Anthony McIntyre ⚽ This promised to be a grudge game.

The Drogs were going into the cup clash against Louth rivals Dundalk fresh just out of a crushing 4-2 defeat in the league last week at Oriel Park which has left the Weavers men floundering at the bottom of the table, five points behind Dundalk and almost certain to be playing lower division football next season. Seems to me they have as much chance of avoiding the drop as Joe Biden has of winning the upcoming US presidential election.

Tensions spilt onto the field last week when the same teams met in the league as fans engaged in hand-to-hand fighting on the pitch at Oriel Park, the away supporters venting their frustration at their gloating neighbours whose victory looks pretty much like a red card, terminating the Drogs' place among the elite sides of Irish soccer. A neighbour who usually attends with his children told me yesterday that he would not go to last night's fixture as he didn't want his son exposed to any repeat of last weeks scenes. I could sympathise with that.

On our way to the ground we noticed a sizable Public Order Unit presence. An Garda, it seemed, were not going to let this get out of control.

Our gang of four - which is more often a trio depending on my son's choices on the day - turned out for this one. We arrived early enough but were unable to get our usual seats such was the demand for a ringside view of the clash. Other fans had arrived even earlier. I wondered what the match would look like through clear eyes - for the first time I had gone without the obligatory hip flask, opting to stay off the swall until the cup final in November when the gang of four will reassemble for a day on the tear, J excepted, being too young. He will still be there but on the lemonade. No matter who makes the final - and it won't be Dundalk - we four intend to be there.

Sitting in our seats a young man approached and told me he enjoyed the TPQ columns on the matches. I appreciated that. At least somebody reads us! I think he belongs to the Ultras, the loud but loyal fans of Drogheda United. And they found their voice last night.

Just before kick off a moment's applause was held for the young player Zara Murphy who died so tragically while playing the sport she loved, turning out for Termonfeckin Celtic FC under-14 team. As the first effort was partially drowned out by the Ultras in a world of their own singing, we went at it again. This time there was much greater compliance. It was buoying to witness both sets of fans and players applaud the late teenager.

A call came over the tannoy for no flares or smoke bombs. It galvanised both sets of fans into producing an arsenal of the stuff. Smoke filled the air and one of the flares from the Dundalk end landed on the pitch.

The game had only started when Frantz Pierrot trying to carry a ball out of defence lost it, giving the Drogheda fans a fright. Fortunately, the shot from the Dundalk forward was of the type that a condemned man would gladly see the shooter in his firing squad.

A Drogheda free kick produced a fine save from the keeper, but on the fifteen minute mark the home side went in front. James Bolger on his debut chipped the keeper who managed to fumble his catch. When Warren Davis netted a second after half time courtesy of calamity in the Dundalk defence, it seemed the Drogs were on the home straight, and clearances from a well organised Drogheda back line were keeping the visitors at bay. I managed to get hit on head by the ball after it had played pinball in the crowd - first time that has happened at a soccer game.

When it was announced that there were five minutes added time I breathed a sigh of relief, despite thinking it a bit long, commenting to Paddy 'that's it.' The game should have been over but it wasn't. Again, as has happened so often this year, a lapse of concentration cost the Drogs who conceded a silly goal from Bobby Faulkner. Another keeper error. That made for a very tense few minutes as the home side tried to run the clock down and the fans screamed vitriol at every decision for Dundalk. In the end, the Drogs held on. Having conceded thirteen goals in the previous four outings, it would have been reassuring had this well composed defence held the line.

A replenished team with five players making their debut there is a lot of catching up to do. But for now the Drogs are through to the next round of the cup.

Revenge is sweet.

⏩Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.