Anthony McIntyre ⚽ Going into the last game of their season, Drogheda United had a real chance of playing European soccer next year.
Three stars had to align for that to happen: Drogs beat Bohemians, Shelbourne stop Pat's from taking three points, Shamrock Rovers defeat Cork in yesterday's FAI Cup final.
Shels and Rovers successfully completed their assigned tasks but the Drogs proved incapable of lifting their game, unlike last season, and ended up being hammered. A 1-4 defeat at home is not a glamourous way to end a season. Many fans trudged out dejected, as for the second year in succession they experienced Droxit. There was some solace to fall back on this year as UEFA bureaucratese managed to find a way to deprive the Drogs of their rightful place gracing a European soccer pitch. But for next year, there is no one to blame but themselves. Drogheda United simply failed to do to Bohemians what they have done for the previous four games: play out of their skin and come away with a victory.
As we travelled to the stadium for the game last Saturday afternoon, our ritual played out. Jay made a prediction that the Drogs would win 2-1 whereas I opted for the draw. Not for a second did either of us feel that the home side would be so comprehensively overwhelmed by the opposition.
A 4.30 kick off on a Saturday is unusual but welcome given the bright weather which unfortunately the Drogs were unable to convert into a bright start. An early missed opportunity by the usually dependable Ryan Brennan hinted at worse to come
With little to cheer the fans exercised their vocal chords on last year's conquering hero, Douglas James Taylor. It was gratuitous because were it not for the efforts of Dougie in last years cup run there would have been no Aviva final. A palpable cloud of tension developed to hover above the home support when the visitors took an early lead. Not part of the script which seemed to right itself when Conor Keeley headed home a perfectly delivered Shane Farrell free kick. How the player who gave away the foul was not shown a second yellow irked the home fans, particularly the Ultras. The Bohs cutely substituted him, sensing that the situation had become precarious.
If the get out of jail free card left a bad taste in the mouth there was an even more bitter pill to swallow when Josh Thomas in the 77th minute saw red, lashed out, and whatever chance the Claret and Blue had of overcoming the by then 1-2 deficit, was seriously diminished by being down to ten men. A vote in the stadium would have been overwhelmingly cast in favour of evicting the referee. Josh Thomas deserved his red but so too did John Mountney who had been shown a yellow card only two minutes into the game. The Bohs, not a lot to beware Drogs bearing gifts, pocketed their freebie, before adding two more goals for good measure. After yesterday's victory for Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva, which we attended, the Dalymount Park men will now play European soccer in 2026 while the Drogs will rue their inability to perform to the level required.
Many fans began leaving Sullivan And Lambe Park before the final whistle. Licking my lips after the last dregs of the Jack Daniels hip flask warmed my throat, we stayed to applaud the disappointed players, coach and staff. Dejection not rejection prevailed. With 2026 season tickets already secured, come February we shall once again take our seats in the hope that over the close season a cure will be found for defenderitis, and the team allowed to play a more creative attacking brand of football. It would be great to go the full season unbeaten but not if the cost is thirty six draws.
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