Brandon Kavanagh scored a late consolation for Drogheda United in a 3-1 defeat away on Thursday night. The loss leaves Kevin Doherty's side ninth in the Premier Division, level on points with Waterford but with an inferior goal difference and just four games remaining in the season. This result extends Drogheda's poor recent form, with the team now having lost three of their last five Premier Division matches, managing just a single win in that difficult run.
The hosts took the lead after just 34 seconds when Graham Burke finished off a move involving Dan Cleary and John McGovern. McGovern doubled the advantage twenty minutes later, capitalising after goalkeeper Fynn Talley had parried a shot into his path. The same player completed his brace three minutes before half-time, turning home a cross from Oluwatunmise Sobowale.
Drogheda United, with manager Doherty watching from the stands due to suspension, struggled to create clear chances in response. Talley had made several early saves to keep the score down, while the opposition goalkeeper Ed McGinty spilled a Ryan Markey volley early in the second period. The visitors finally found the net in the 88th minute when Kavanagh drove a low shot from the edge of the area through a crowd of bodies. "It was a late consolation to put some respectability on the final scoreline," Kavanagh said afterwards.
League implications
The result confirms Drogheda United's position in the relegation-promotion play-off place. Their next challenge is a home fixture against fourth-placed Derry City at Weavers Park on Friday, 16 October. The full run-in is available on our fixtures schedule. Drogheda will be looking to their top scorer, Warren Davis, who has six goals this season, for inspiration in that key match, despite him being substituted in the 62nd minute of this defeat.
The opposition, meanwhile, returned to the top of the table with the win, opening a three-point gap. This victory continues their dominant form, as they are now unbeaten in their last eleven league outings. The match at Tallaght Stadium was watched by a crowd of 4,555. Referee Kevin O'Sullivan booked three home players, with Drogheda United receiving no cautions. Drogheda United will now prepare for the Derry City match, seeking a result to improve their precarious league standing.
