Anthony McIntyre ⚽Be thankful for small mercies was my sole thought at the end of this one.
Jay did not turn out for the clash with Pat's, and it was merciful that he missed it. No aspiring young player would leave the stadium uplifted by the performance of Drogheda. They might even consider switching to GAA or rugby.
Myself and Paddy arrived having stopped for a quick one in the Windmill. One of us was driving so only one of us had a drink. I no longer remember what forecast Paddy made in the absence of Jay. I just felt the Drogs would lose. The last time both sides clashed at Sullivan and Lambe, the visitors left three points to the good.
This was our first game in over a month. I had been in Majorca while Paddy had other business to attend to, leaving us both unable to make the last home fixture. At least as we approach autumn the sun did the honourable thing and stayed out of our eyes for the duration of the game. Although, had it blinded us we would have been spared the unsightly spectacle that was about to unfold.
The demeanour of both coaches as they patrolled their respective technical areas told the story of both this game and the prospective futures of either club. Stephen Kenny was calm. He barked out instructions when needed, always in control of his temper. Kevin Doherty by contrast was excitable, bursting a gut to scream louder with each passing loss of momentum or blunder. At one point during a water break occasioned by an injury, his behaviour was so errant that it was uncomfortable for the supporters in the stand behind him to witness. He screamed and gesticulated. The fans behind me were unimpressed stating that if the players deserve a dressing down then it should not happen in full public view.
Having done more than enough representation work in both the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, it was clear to me that in a normal workplace environment - maybe there are exceptions made for the player-manager relationship - Doherty's behaviour would amount to bullying. At the end of the game a fan started to roar his disapproval at the Drogheda coach, telling him to pack his bags. Doherty paused, about to respond before thinking better of it and heading towards the middle of the park. Perhaps he recalled an episode in Cork last season, where it seemed at one point Turners Cross was on the cusp of transforming from football stadium to boxing ring as tempers flared so much after Drogheda squandered their lead in the last minute of time added on.
Doherty in his post-match commentary bemoaned an absence of quality in the squad. Listening to the fans behind me it would seem that is a standard that can be applied to both playing and coaching.
The first half was a dismal affair in terms of the Drogs' input. They seemed to lack energy and enthusiasm, were disjointed and rudderless. The real surprise at half time lay in the fact that Pat's did not walk off the field three goals in front as they did on their previous outing at Sullivan and Lambe. That their dominance did not turn into a cricket score was not down to Drogheda outfield stubbornness but in their own inability to both make and take chances.
It is never a good omen when the best player on the team is the goalkeeper. Luke Dennison was the sole shining star in a side where the rest behaved like cosmic black holes, emitting no light. If the coach said 'let there be light' he got it from the fans with flares not from his players.
Dennison made a mistake in the dying minutes of the game - exercising a manoeuvre that Kevin Doherty described as ridiculous - that led to a goal but by then the game was as good as over. Dennison was guilty only of rushing his fences in a bid to distribute a ball that might just be the catalyst for a Drogheda equaliser. Doherty was booked for his incandescence.
While the second half - and Doherty did impose order on his players during the half time break, substituting where necessary - saw much more determination from the Drogs, the damage had been done and there was no way back.
Drogheda have lost twelve games this season, three more than last year. With twenty eight games played they lie second from bottom, five clear of Sligo and a point off Waterford in eighth. This is relegation play off territory. I met a fan in the street yesterday who simply said 'we are going down.' The only silver lining on that cloud for her was in her comment, 'well, they will have to reduce the cost of tickets.' I wouldn't be so sure that is something Trivela will agree to.
In less than two hours time we will take our seats to watch the Louth derby. Dundalk will be hoping to help send Drogheda spiralling downwards. After last week's poor showing it promises to be a white knuckle ride, with no arms on the seating to grip if we are put through the mangler.
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