Drogs ⚽ Pat's ⚽ Goalless

Anthony McIntyre ⚽ For the duration of a car journey out little soccer gang of four was again pulled into place.

On Monday I had been at an Easter Commemoration in Dublin along with Ronan. Paddy and Jay were out at Blanchardstown for soccer training. The convergence suited perfectly as myself and Ronan took the bus out to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, from where Paddy picked us up. While I had my obligatory badge-strewn beanie with me, in the rush to make the train to Dublin I went out the door without my season ticket. So rather than head straight to Sullivan and Lambe Park we stopped at the house and dropped Ronan off while I picked up the season ticket. Ronan was unable to get a match ticket as, perpetually uncertain about his schedule, he left it too late. By the time his mam tried to purchase one, the cookie jar was empty. All gone, such is the popularity of the Drogs these days. RTE later reported that the game drew the biggest home crowd in years.

Ronan in the house, Paddy, Jay and myself then journeyed over to watch the clash against Pat's, a side many watching on fancy to emerge as champions come November. For me it was an uncomfortable game given a swelling of a saliva gland, which was bothering me even more than it had at Friday's game against Shels. It turned out to be an inflammation but which still saw me spend two days in the hands of the brilliant medical staff at the Lourdes.

A 5pm kickoff meant we could follow the play in brightness. Such was the discomfort I was in I can no longer remember Jay's prediction. He is usually more upbeat that me, with Paddy being more sober in his take than either of us. Sobriety on this occasion does not imply alcohol - for this one the perennial hip flask was left at home.

In this top two clash the Drogs, fielding an unchanged eleven for the fourth match on the trot, came out determined not to sit back as they had done against Shelbourne three days earlier. That made it a more entertaining game. They dominated the play for long sessions suggesting that they were not there just to set the pace for eventual title winners, and have ambitions of their own. Problem is that they travelled to Galway yesterday to face a side that had a poor home record and lost. Match reports suggest they not only lost the game but lost the plot to boot which saw them wilt in a three minute blitz from Galway.

Monday's top of the table clash ended scoreless. While the Drogs played much better than they did three days earlier against Shels, their lack of punching power up front again proved something of an albatross, pulling them down. Thomas Oluwa and Warren Davis beaver away but in the absence of a striking talent like Douglas James Taylor, the attack seems blunt. At least Dougie is fit again, turning out as a sub in last night's clash at Eamonn Deacy Park.

While it is tempting to blame the referee, having watched Drogheda's last two games against the big Dublin sides, the thought stuck me that refs might not be as even handed as the spirit and rules of the sport require. What seemed a certain penalty as the game drew to a close when Warren Davis was upended in the box, was brushed aside dismissively by the ref. Loud appeals from the Drogs players and fans alike fell on deaf ears. The fans at least get the chance to howl at the match officials while the players have to bite on their tongues.

This is the third draw in a row for Drogheda against the Richmond Park side. On its own not a bad result but there is always the feeling that Drogheda underperform in this type of game. The silver lining is that the Claret and Blue have room to improve if they manage to perform to their undoubted capabilities. Nevertheless, with two points from two draws, the Drogs somehow could console themselves in the hospitality suite post-match as they remained league leaders. Incredible as it seems, despite last night's defeat to Galway, securing for them only two points from a possible nine, they are still top, ahead of the Tribesmen on goal difference. But they would not want to be banking on riding that luck for much longer. Particularly as teams like Shels and Pats are wily campaigners and have the stamina required for the business end of the season.

Still, Drogheda last season were used to being described as one of the bottom two teams. So there is an upbeat tone to reports that they are a top two side. There is a long way to go before time is called on the 2025 season. At this point, the Drogs are well placed to give it a go if they can only acquire a greater belief in their own ability. Coach Kevin Doherty and captain Ryan Brennan will be pivotal to instilling confidence. Leading from the front, rather than shouting follow me I'm right behind you, both men can ensure the Drogs give all comers a run for their money.

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