Another packed night in Oriel Park as Dundalk took on Drogheda United in the first Premier Division Louth Derby since 1998. While the team lined out as suspected - Sean Connor pulled a major surprise by employing a 3-5-2 formation. More than likely inspired to make the change due to the lack of clear-cut chances created in the opening two matches. Michael Daly was sitting in front of the back three allowing Turner and O'Callaghan to push forward with Harpal Singh and Shaun Kelly on the flanks. Dundalk had the first clear-cut chance after eleven minutes when Darren Mansaram played Declan O'Brien through on goal. However, his effort was well blocked by Steve Williams with O'Brien perhaps guilty of taking too long before pulling the trigger. Soon after, Chris Turner was booked for what the referee deemed to be a late challenge on Mark Duggan. Dundalk achieved the breakthrough after 16 minutes. O'Callaghan supplied Singh with a perfect ball with the winger then supplying a cross that Darren Mansaram was about to head home only for Conor Kenna to deflect the ball away with his hand. For a few moments it looked as if the referee hadn't seen it - but thankfully a penalty was awarded and Kenna saw red. Chris Turner sent Williams the wrong way from the spot to score Dundalk's first goal in the Premier League since 31st March 2002! Drogheda reacted to the sending off by replacing Davie O'Connor with Ian Ryan. Harpal Singh was enjoying a great spell on the left and he delivered a super cross from the left wing that O'Brien headed straight at Williams. After 27 minutes, Darren Mansaram produced a superb cross-field ball that was sweetly taken by Harpal Singh. The winger left Gavin Whelan for dead before the Drogs full-back crudely hauled him back at the expense of a yellow card. From the free-kick, O'Callaghan found the visiting defence asleep and charged forward unchallenged. However, his shot was straight at Williams.Drogheda could have equalised after 29 minutes when Ryan rose unchalleged from a corner just seven yards out but his header went high over the bar. O'Callaghan tried his luck from distance again after 32 minutes but his shot went high and wide.

The match was full of energy but lacking in chances. However, Singh again found space and delivered a superb ball from the wing that was beyond the reach of Williams which allowed Mansaram to control the ball on his chest and smash the ball home into the empty net.



The second half kicked off with Dundalk again on the attack. A great cross from Kelly again was too good for Williams and O'Brien headed wide. But a few moments later Dundalk again split the Drogheda defence open. Williams advanced off his line and took Declan O'Brien down. If it wasn't for a covering defender on the line Williams would have also have seen red. Turner again sent Williams the wrong way.

As soon as the third goal went in - Sean Connor made an immediate change when he withdrew Liam Burns and introduced Michael McGinlay - Shaun Kelly moving back into defence as Dundalk moved back into a 4-4-2 formation.

Soon after things began to kick-off when Duggan was booked for a challenge on O'Callaghan. Drogheda fans threw missiles at O'Callaghan as he was been treated.

Declan O'Brien had gone close on a number of occasions but his effort after 55 minutes was nearly one of the goals of the century at Oriel Park. Seeing Williams off his line, O'Brien tried his luck from close to 40 yards only to see the ball canon off the post.

Dundalk kept up a high-tempo following the third goal. Singh produced another dangerous cross that narrowly evaded the in-rushing O'Brien and Mansaram with Turner then firing over the bar from the edge of the box. Drogheda also went close when Alan McNally headed wide from a corner.

With 15 minutes left, O'Brien and Mulvenna are unable to make the most of a cross into the box - meanwhile - Robbie Martin just fails to get to a low ball across the face of goal. Robbie Farrell then beat Chris Bennion to a high ball into the box but again the ball went wide. On 80 minutes, James Chambers tried his luck from 35 yards but his shot went well wide.

Dundalk upped a gear following these chances and soon added a forth when Kelly's cross/shot beat Williams but just went wide. Connor then made his third change of the night by giving Dwight Barnett his debut in place of Michael Daly.

Chris Turner was awarded the man of the match award. Drogheda held on to keep the score down to just the three goal deficit. It's the first time Dundalk have beaten Drogheda in a competitive fixture since the 2003 League Cup and the first time we have beaten them in a Premier League fixture since Mick Doohan scored four goals in a 4-0 win back in 1994. With a performance as good as this it was most certainly worth the wait.

Dundalk: Chris Bennion, Shaun Kelly, Dave Rogers, Thomas Heary, Liam Burns, Michael Daly, Chris Turner, George O'Callaghan, Darren Mansaram, Declan O'Brien, Harpal SIngh.

Subs: Michael McGinlay for Liam Burns, Tiarnan Mulvenna for Darren Mansaram

Drogheda United: Steve Williams, Gavin Whelan, Alan McNally, Conor Kenna, Robert Clarke, Jamie Duffy, Paul Shiels, Mark Duggan, James Chambers, David O'Connor, Robbie Martin.
Sent Off: Kenna

Subs: Ian Ryan for Connor, Robbie Farrell for Duffy.