Anthony McIntyre ⚽ We made it early so managed to get seats beneath the roof.
Not that it mattered because it was a dry evening, mild as well. Jay predicted a 1-0 victory for Drogheda as we made our way through the streets of the town in Paddy's car. He invariably favours Drogheda but would at the same time have them conceding a goal, so factoring in a clean sheet was a vote of confidence in the defence. Not being just as adventurous I played safe and went for the draw. I guess if I was a gambling guy I would make more from the bookies predicting draws than any other outcome.
Given what was at stake for Derry I thought there would be quite a turnout from their fans. They have a strong chance of featuring in Europe next season. When we reached the carpark it seemed that way because the only spaces available were much further to the rear than usual. As we left the car to walk over to the stadium we noticed a few Derry supporters, whom we exchanged pleasantries with. But it was all a false reading. The lure of Europe seemed not after all to have enticed the bulk of their travelling support to make the long journey by road from the Brandywell to Sullivan and Lambe Park, where the home support was top heavy. The Derry area of the stadium could not be described as densely populated.
Three teams had an interest in the outcome of this match. Had it ended in a victory for Drogheda, last year's winners, Shelbourne, would have been replaced as league champions by a rampant Shamrock Rovers. Coming away with that solitary point meant that, mathematically, Derry can still win the title. While it would take the equivalent mental capacity of a Young Earth Creationist to believe it possible, it nevertheless left the champagne bottles at Tallaght with their corks still firmly in place. The Drogs would have benefitted greatly from a victory as it would have seen them breathing down the neck of Derry in the chase for European football. A draw, which is how it turned out, suited Derry much better than the home side as it prevents any closing of the gap. So in a sense the two losers on the night were Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers, the latter facing only a temporary blip in their quest to once again become champions.
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| Photo @ Fiona Farrell |
There was a feeling that the Candy Stripes would come with one eye on securing that European slot and the other on exacting revenge for their recent cup exit at the hands of the Claret and Blue. If so, the script didn't run quite as envisaged. A great strike by Dara Kareem - following the perfect chest down from Conor Keeley - his second in front of home fans in four days - gave the Windmill Road team a one goal advantage which they carried into the second half. If the young striker continues to deliver goals of this quality he seems destined to come on the radar of overseas scouts.
Back on field after the interval, Derry seemed more energetic, and determined to get a point at least. When Danny Mullen pulled the sides level on the 54th minute, the European horizon receded into the distance for the home support, and almost slid out of view altogether but for woodwork which repulsed a Derry strike close to the final whistle.
As things stand, the Drogs lie fourth in the table, a vast improvement on last season when top drawer survival was not guaranteed until the very last match of the season - a playoff against Bray Wanderers. They are three points behind Bohs and trail Derry by four. If they can just get their nose ahead of the Dalymount Park outfit, they can make Europe. To do that they need to shed the draw mentality which so pegs them back. A possible three points tonight away to second from bottom Waterford is no longer on the cards, the match postponed due to to a waterlogged pitch. A wash out in Waterford means for this week anyway the Drogs will have to keep their powder dry in the hope that it will load their big guns for the crucial battles that remain as the season draws to a close.
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