Anthony McIntyre ⚽There was little appetite for this final home match of the season.
A clash, with nothing depending on the outcome - Drogheda will still have to win the play off against UCD in Tallaght Stadium this Saturday to stay in top flight soccer - we turned up nonetheless. We didn't take the car this time, or Jay, which allowed Paddy to have a few drinks. First stop, Ollies at the bottom of the steps just short of the main Dublin Road. A shot of Paddy's for me and the black stuff for him got us in the mood to make the walk across the Boyne and onto the next watering hole, the Market Bar. More Guinness for Paddy and a Jameson for me made the bar stools that little bit harder to get out of. As we sipped or slurped the clock hands crept ever slowly up to kick-off time. By the point we stepped outside the Market warmth the ref's whistle had launched proceedings. Drogs v Galway in a dead rubber fixture just didn't have the same pull as the pub but we persevered,
Paddy left his phone in the pub. I rang it hoping it was not irretrievable. The bar staff had it safely tucked away behind the bar. I suggested to Paddy that we return and grab it, but he wasn't fussed, making the very wise suggestion that it would give us an excuse to take up where we left off on our way home. We walked into the ground and despite it being packed we managed to get two seats next to each other.
Then the hip flask came out. For this occasion I had filled it with Famous Grouse, a Scotch blend not of the preferred peated variety. We shared it. Next time we don't take the car, I'll fill two flasks.
The match was about twenty minutes in when we took our seats, with the score at 0-0. We were less interested in the outcome than we were in the final appearance for the club of Ryan Brennan who would be hanging up his boots for the last time. By sheer chance I bumped into his partner, Stephanie, and their daughter, there to cheer their beloved on for one last game. A late substitute, his entry to the fray was met with a standing ovation. He was always a wily player who led from the front while reading the game with the eye of accumulated wisdom.
Drogs fans will always remember him fondly for captaining the side to victory in the FAI Cup final two seasons ago. Then it seemed that a corner had been turned. Six days after the Aviva victory over Derry we gathered at Tallaght to watch the Drogs, again led by Ryan Brennan, demolish Bray Wanderers to keep their place in the Premier Division. Now, the worm has turned and the sudden death battle for survival has to be fought again, this time without the wind of an FAI cup at Drogs backs.
Galway travelled to Louth safe in the knowledge that they would play Premiership soccer in 2027. Five points clear of their opponents going into the game, they knew they could not be caught. They had opened up their campaign against Drogheda back in February but suffered a defeat on their own turf. Another defeat in the their final game of the season reduced the gap to two points but it might as well have been a hundred. The maths simply made it all but impossible for the Claret and Blue. A big win over the Tribesmen had to be complemented by a huge defeat of Waterford by Shelbourne. Neither happened and the play-off grimly beckons.
The Drogs played well in a game where they didn't need to play at all. If only they would play well in the games where they need to they would not be in the precarious position of second from bottom, Sligo the only side with a worse record and destined for the drop. Despite our late arrival we were fortunate enough to see a brilliant long range strike from Brandon Kavanagh in the 35th minute. That lead was doubled in the second half with a fine lob of the keeper by Mark Doyle who had provided Kavanagh's assist.
It was nice to see the return of Frantz Pierrot to Sullivan and Lambe, only this time turning out for a different tribe. It was even nicer to see his headed effort saved by Fynn Talley.
Game over, I walked across the aisle to bid goodbye to Stephanie and her daughter. As good fortune would have it Ryan came across the pitch to see them both. We shook hands and I wished him well. While he didn't always start in this his final season, when he did his passion and leadership on the field always meant that the Claret and Blue would not be the whipping boy for other teams looking an easy three points.
We walked home from the game, calling into the Market for a swifter and to collect Paddy's phone. He stayed consistent as he did the entire evening, apart from the hip flask, whereas I made yet another swerve, on this occasion opting for Jack Daniels.
Our last call of the night was to my local, The Pheasant. This time it was Jim Beam while Paddy stayed in his lane. We parted company, each of us upright and steady on our feet. We knew we would see each other shortly for a clash we had hoped would never materialise: this Saturday's game against UCD. We'll give the juice a miss this time, building up a thirst for the following day's cup final clash between Derry and a resurgent Waterford. That's an all day session, one we perform routinely every year. If there is a hangover at the weekend it will arrive on Sunday morning courtesy of Drogheda being relegated. I don't get hangovers, so here's hoping it is a tradition that continues.
Good luck to the Drogs on Saturday
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