Drogs ⚽ Bray ⚽ Brilliant

Anthony McIntyre ⚽It was the very last game of the season for Drogheda United.

Pitched against Bray Wanderers in the play off, it was a fight for the right to stay up against a fight for the right to go up. The winners would emerge knowing they would be playing Premier League soccer in 2025 while the losers would face the daunting task of slogging it out in the nether regions. No ordinary fixture, there was a lot at stake, a lot to play for.

Drogheda went in as firm favourites while only too aware that the underdog can cause an upset. They found themselves in that position last week against Derry in the cup final and came through victorious. So the outcome of yesterday's clash was by no means a foregone conclusion. This was underscored by the stats which show that from the last nine playoffs, the Premier League side have won only twice. That Bray had finished fifth in their division was no source of comfort for the Drogs. They had proven themselves more than capable of eking out a victory in decider clashes. No room for complacency, the Claret and Blue could be confident so long as they were not cocky.

Yesterday was a departure from the norm. J was involved in a morning game in Drogheda, leaving Paddy to feel that it would be pushing it close to the wire to reach Tallaght on time particularly if any of the morning's junior matches went to extra time. So we agreed that myself and Ronan would head on in by train and tram. Once there we could try to keep seats for Paddy and J, although we suspected we might find it hard to get four together.

As we got on the Luas we met a friend from the Gaza vigils, Bobby, and the three of us travelled together to Tallaght. Fortunately we were able to get five seats in a row, and without any difficulty managed to keep two free until Paddy and J arrived. They did so a minute before the kick off. J was in an elated mood, his side having won 5-1. His prediction for the play off was 2-0 to Drogheda.

I would have been so disappointed had they missed out on any of the game. We had been looking forward to it for so long, and had been at so many games this season together including the momentous cup final that it seemed unfair not to end the year in each other's company one last time - even if sobriety prevailed.

Tallaght Stadium is the second best in this part of the country after the Aviva. From where we sat we could view the hills to the back of the stadium, although our attention would not be focused there for long. The Drogs fans had responded well to Kevin Doherty's appeal to fill the ground. Our side of Tallaght Stadium seemed more packed than Bray's. The Ultras led the way with their usual roof raising chants.

Fielding the same 11 who started the cup final last week, the Drogs began well, leaving me to comment to Paddy that experience would lead to the the Weaver Warriors pressing home their advantage. Half an hour gone and Bray were finding their way into the game, whatever nerves might have ailed them at the start now gone as they settled into their stride. I could feel the trepidation descend on me.

In the 32nd minute that dissipated when the breakthrough came, due to a well placed Jamie Bolger effort which went beyond the outstretched arm of the Bray keeper and into the corner of the net. There may have been grounds for complaint from Bray that the ball, before it reached Bolger, did not make it past the outstretched arm of Douglas James Taylor, but none of the officials seemed to think there was anything wrong. Four minutes later Frantz Pierrot doubled the lead with an exquisite flick. The Drogs were on a roll which increased in the second half when the big Haitian controlled the ball adroitly before slotting home his second of the afternoon. He could have had a hattrick had some of his finishing been less erratic and the post not saved Bray. But he gets himself into positions where he can finish.

3-0 in front, it seemed game over but inexplicably the Drogs defence backed off and off as Harry Groome carried the ball from deep within the Bray midfield before sending a scorcher beyond Luke Dennison. It was a marvellous strike which brought Bray back to a two goal deficit. A brace lead in soccer is never sufficient to create a comfort zone. The Drogs quickly reorganized themselves and never lost the initiative after that, emerging comfortable winners after five minutes of added time.

It was an end to the season that will never be repeated in my lifetime. A cup final one week, a play off six days later, victorious in both. Now that Premier League safety is secure, last week's cup achievement can at last be savoured in full. The Wizards of Weaver delivered when it mattered.

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