Jason Byrne moved into clear third in the League of Ireland all-time goalscoring standings as his magnificent 76th-minute lob rescued a point for Dundalk in a pulsating Louth Derby against Drogheda United on Friday evening, the sides settling for a point apiece in a 2-2 draw. The Lilywhites started very brightly and they deservedly hit the front on 13 minutes when Mark Griffin finished off Daniel Kearns’ inch-perfect cross from close range. Drogheda, however, found their feet midway through the half and Peter Cherrie produced a magnificent save to deny Dinny Corcoran before Alan McNally headed off the crossbar. The equaliser came through Tiarnán Mulvenna before the break, another ex-Lilywhite Dave Rogers shooting them in front from the spot after half-time. However, Byrne came to Dundalk’s rescue 14 minutes from time to write another piece of history.
Griffin opener
Dundalk manager Ian Foster made one change to the side that drew with Sligo Rovers five days earlier as Stephen Maher was replaced by Byrne, who returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the Setanta Sports Cup final on 14 May. Byrne partnered Griffin in attack, with Mark Quigley operating on the left wing. And it was Griffin that had the first effort on goal in the opening seconds as Ross Gaynor swung in a free-kick which the young striker rose for, but under pressure he headed an effort from 15-yards harmlessly wide. Another chance arrived shortly after as Griffin latched onto a ball from Greg Bolger, but again with a defender for company he shot wide, with goalkeeper Steven Trimble scrambling. The visitors eventually, and deservedly, grabbed the lead on 13 minutes and it came through a sublime cross from Kearns who found Griffin eight-yards out and he neatly volleyed to the net.
Drogs growing
The goal saw Dundalk take the lead in this fixture for the first time this season and they were keen to extend it, but after Quigley fed Gaynor down the left his cross was palmed away by Trimble. Byrne then rose to meet Quigley’s delivery with perhaps Griffin better placed behind him. Just past the midway point of the first half, Dundalk attacked once more, Kearns doing well on the right and cutting inside and shooting, but as it was blocked inside the box, appeals for a handball were waved away. Drogheda, however, grew into the game after that, and Corcoran drove wide from 20-yards with their first shot on goal. Before the half-hour mark, a mistake from Dean Bennett presented Peter McMahon – who trained with Dundalk during the summer – with a chance but again the effort, this time from 25-yards, was off target. On 31 minutes, slack marking from a corner saw Lee Lynch feed Brian Gannon and his cross was headed over by Corcoran, as Drogheda threatened an equaliser.
Turnaround
Gavin Brennan then headed into Cherrie’s arms, within seconds getting another chance which he drove over from distance. Cherrie kept Dundalk in front moments later as he dived full length to push away a Corcoran shot from just outside the box. From the resulting corner, McNally headed off the crossbar, before Drogheda deservedly levelled on 43 minutes. The home side attacked down the left through Philip Hand and his cross was left by Corcoran for Mulvenna who blasted to the net from ten-yards. Four minutes into the second half, Brennan again did well down the left, beating Bennett and driving in a low cross which Cherrie got a strong hand to, to beat away the danger. However, moments later, Drogheda were gifted a lead goal as Gaynor fouled substitute Mark O’Brien inside the box, the winger escaping a second yellow of the evening. Rogers stood up and sent Cherrie the wrong way. The hosts continued to press in search of another, Foster introducing Maher past the hour in a bid to get back into it. Dundalk were trying hard to do so, but their efforts were not yielding any tests for Trimble.
Byrne leveller
However, on 76 minutes Byrne grabbed a sublime equaliser as he latched onto a through-ball by Griffin and produced a magnificent lob over the Drogheda No1 for his 179th League of Ireland goal. Within seconds, at the other end, Cherrie was called upon to deny Corcoran’s powerful strike from the edge of the box. Dundalk, though, took over possession and pressed in search of a late winner and it almost came ten minutes from time. Kearns got down the right and drilled a cross which was laid into the path of Quigley by Griffin but his drilled shot was blocked by Maher. McHugh then headed a Kearns corner over and a very dangerous free-kick from Gaynor was gladly gathered low down by Trimble. Drogheda too had chances and four minutes from time Corcoran broke into the box on the right but his low shot was saved and held by Cherrie, as the sides had to settle for a share of the spoils at the end of an extremely entertaining game.
DROGHEDA UNITED FC: Steven Trimble, Stephen Quigley, Alan McNally, Dave Rogers ©, Philip Hand, Brian Gannon, Lee Lynch, Peter McMahon (Mark O’Brien 38), Gavin Brennan, Dinny Corcoran, Tiarnán Mulvenna.
Goals: T Mulvenna (43), D Rogers (52 pen).
Booked: T Mulvenna (17), M O’Brien (45+3), G Brennan (85).
Unused Subs: Robert Duggan (GK), Jordan White, Cillian Thompson, Robbie Gaul, Shane Dolan, Keith Murray.
DUNDALK FC: Peter Cherrie, Simon Madden ©, Dean Bennett, Carl McHugh, Ross Gaynor, Daniel Kearns, Greg Bolger, Keith Ward (Stephen Maher 62), Mark Quigley, Mark Griffin, Jason Byrne (Johnny Breen 78).
Goals: M Griffin (13), J Byrne (76).
Booked: K Ward (35), R Gaynor (45+3), D Bennett (51), M Quigley (88).
Unused Subs: Paul Murphy (GK), Matt Foley.
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin).
