Ex-Dundalk midfielder Paul Crowley appeared to get the touch to Ryan Brennan’s late free-kick to see Drogheda United regain the Jim Malone Memorial Perpetual Trophy as they defeated Dundalk 1-0 at United Park on Thursday night.
In a game starved of clear-cut chances, the decisive moment came on 77 minutes as Crowley, who won the First Division title with the Lilywhites in 2008, glanced in Brennan’s well-delivered set-piece.
Drogheda had started the game brightly and had a number of free-kicks in the opening exchanges, but few of them troubled visiting No1 Peter Cherrie.
After Cherrie did well to come and collect at the feet of Declan O’Brien, Dundalk slowly grew into the game.
On 20 minutes, they were given a good opportunity to open the scoring when Gabriel Sava upended Michael Rafter on the edge of the box, with Nathan Murphy standing up and firing a free-kick just over.
Past the half-hour mark, Drogheda went close to breaking the deadlock. A ball over the top saw O’Brien beat Hernany Macedo but Murphy got back and his challenge allowed Cherrie to collect.
Seconds later, following a cross from the left, O’Brien went within inches as his header flew narrowly wide.
On 42 minutes, Rafter knocked the ball down to Shane O’Neill outside the box and he hit a first-time shot from 20-yards off target.
Dundalk started the second half well but chances were hard to come by.
On 63 minutes, Drogheda were awarded a free-kick right on the ‘D’, but Brennan’s effort was blocked by the wall.
Drogheda hit the front on 77 minutes. Chris Shields committed a foul 25-yards from goal and Brennan’s free-kick appeared to be met by Crowley, with the touch enough to bring it past Ger Hanley.
Dundalk tried to respond and Shields saw a shot from range saved moments later.
However, they were unable to trouble the home goal in the final quarter-hour.
The result ended Seán McCaffrey’s 100 percent record as Lilywhites boss, and saw Drogheda take back the Malone Cup having lost it two years ago.
DROGHEDA UNITED FC: Gabriel Sava, Brian Gannon (Philip Hand 58), Alan McNally, Derek Prendergast, Shane Grimes, Dean Marshall, Paul Crowley, Ryan Brennan, Derek Doyle (Tiarnán Mulvenna 58), Seán Brennan (Peter Hynes 58), Declan O’Brien (Johnny Breen 66).
Goal: P Crowley (77).
Booked: R Brennan (59), D Prendergast (64).
Unused Subs: Steven Trimble (GK), Stephen Quigley, Gavin Brennan.
DUNDALK FC: Peter Cherrie (Ger Hanley HT), Derek Foran, Liam Burns, Hernany Macedo, Nathan Murphy (Luke Danville HT), Paul Walsh (Gareth Coughlan HT), Stephen McDonnell (Robbie Waters HT), Chris Shields © (Mark Leavy 88), John Mountney (George Smith 62), Shane O’Neill (Chris Reilly 62), Michael Rafter (Bob McKenna HT).
Booked: C Shields (76), D Foran (90).
Unused Subs: None.
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
