Anthony McIntyre ⚽I wan't sure if I would turn up for this one.
Annoyed at the treatment of Joanna Byrne by the owners my instinct was to flip the bird in their direction. In the end I returned to watch the Drogs while still sharing the middle finger with Trivela, and remaining steadfastly in favour of Ms Byrne being reinstated as Joint Chairperson. I already have a season ticket so the owners don't get a cent more by my going or a cent less by my staying away.
Those fellow Drogs supporters that I have spoken with and who are resolutely opposed to Israeli genocide, believe that there are options open to fans unhappy with the Trivela cancel culture which don't necessitate missing games. Joanna Byrne herself is refusing to walk away and has committed to returning to the terraces to cheer on her team. Little point in going it alone and becoming the Enoch Burke of Drogheda United, standing outside home fixtures with my badge strewn beanie like some sandwich board Jeremiah in Dublin's Henry Street entreating the sinners to repent, the end is nigh! When I told Paddy about my Enoch disinclination, he burst out laughing, reinforcing my view that aversion not conversion is the better option. More collective deliberation will undoubtedly take place, and and we shall see what the future brings.
With the clocks having jumped forward an hour, it was pleasant to drive across town on a bright sunny evening. As we took our seats the glare from the sun made us long for baseball caps with their peaks rather than the Drogs beanies we were wearing. Just on cue, as kickoff was about to commence, the sun disappeared behind the stand across the pitch from us. Vision perfect, we settled in for the game against the league leaders, Bohemians.
My beanie was slightly heavier this week, increasingly weighing more like a helmet than a hat. My neighbour and his son had just returned from Anfield having watched the 2-2 draw between the Legends and Dortmund, and had thoughtfully picked up a badge for me on Merseyside, which I squeezed in beside one of Diego Jota at the front of the beanie.
Just prior to disembarking from the car, I had asked Jay for his prediction. When he said 0-0, I reminded him that he had predicted a draw in the previous game and was on the money. This time he not only forecast the outcome but called it right on the scoreless draw that was eventually served up. Maybe he was going on form, the last two clashes between these sides also ending in draws.
On a nippy but not bitterly cold evening the Drogs were determined not to roll over in the face of the league leaders. Bohemians came to the game on an unbeaten run of nine games in which they had only conceded three goals. They would be very difficult to break down so it was important for the Drogs to prevent them scoring. From the outset the Claret and Blue were combative, almost taking the lead in the opening minutes only for Mark Doyle to do a Mo Salah in front of goal after being put through with a beautiful pass from Warren Davis that left the Bohs defence floundering and short of pace. The home fans gasped in disbelief but applauded the pass that almost made it happen.
Edwin Agbaje made one of the finest blocks the Premier Division is likely to see this season but almost ruined it minutes later when a careless back pass nearly handed victory to the Bohs. Dennison, last man standing, did just that, stood his ground and parried what looked a certain goal.
When Shane Farrell, not long on the pitch as a sub, went to ground in the 87th minute few predicted the drama about to unfold as Good Friday turned bad very quickly. When the Bohs medical team raced to his side to assist their Drogs counterparts, a feeling of uneasiness set in. That type of intervention is normally not called for. When Coach Kevin Doherty was allowed onto the field by the referee, it was clear this was no ordinary injury. After around ten minutes Shane Farrell was stretchered off, oxygen mask covering his face, to a standing ovation. Fortunately, he was released from hospital the following day after an overnight stay.
Once the injured player was safely off the game resumed, the stoppage causing about ten minutes to be added on. Despite the setback and trauma at losing Shane Farrell, the Drogs steeled themselves. Agbaje's earlier heroics were repeated as the game drew to a close when Warren Davis shut down Myers as he looked certain to find the net. The Drogs held on to secure a point. It was a better point for the home side than the visitors because as a result the Bohs have been overtaken on the outside lane by Pat's. Bohs sensing the threat to their poll position forced the referee to play poker with the amount of cards he handed out. Nine games in, ten points notched up, the Drogs now sit in seventh place.
Tomorrow, night the Drogs host Galway. Neither Paddy nor I will be there. He is for Galway to celebrate his birthday while I have a long standing boozing arrangement in Dundalk with an old friend from the H-Blocks where we were part of the blanket protest for years although in separate blocks. Whiskey is much more pleasing to the palate than the H-Block dishwater which was served up as tea. Jay will fill in as the onsite cub match reporter.
While the Shane Farrell incident was the most dispiriting aspect of the evening it was disappointing to once again see a flare ignite amongst the Ultras. It had been hoped that after a child sustained a facial injury as a result of a flare at Oriel Park a few weeks back, that never again would they make an appearance as part of fan culture. Despite enhanced security measures, flares somehow still get through. That being so, it is essentially down to the to the Ultras to manage their own turf and ensure safety for all.
While the Shane Farrell incident was the most dispiriting aspect of the evening it was disappointing to once again see a flare ignite amongst the Ultras. It had been hoped that after a child sustained a facial injury as a result of a flare at Oriel Park a few weeks back, that never again would they make an appearance as part of fan culture. Despite enhanced security measures, flares somehow still get through. That being so, it is essentially down to the to the Ultras to manage their own turf and ensure safety for all.
Most important of all, Shane Farrell is out of hospital and on the mend. That was the evening's real victory . . . for both sides.
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