Edwin Agbaje's late goal secured a 1-0 victory for Drogheda United over their Turkish sister club, Trabzonspor, in a friendly at Papara Park on Thursday. The match, which kicked off at 19:00, was settled in the 86th minute when Agbaje finished from a Conor Keeley assist.
Trabzonspor said the friendly was "a meaningful meeting" to make use of the international break. The fixture renewed a unique sister-club relationship first established on 29 September 2010, a bond rooted in shared claret and blue colours and deep historical ties between Ireland and Turkey. The connection traces back to 1847 when the Ottoman Empire sent humanitarian aid to Drogheda during the Great Famine.
Historical ties renewed
This was the first meeting between the clubs in 13 years, after a planned 2013 match in Dublin was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch. The relationship was formalised following a proposal from author Brian Whelan and has seen fan exchanges, including Drogheda supporters travelling to support Trabzonspor in a 2012 Europa League tie. The victory provides a positive note for Drogheda, who sit 9th in the League of Ireland Premier Division with 34 points from 32 games.
Attention now turns to a key league assignment away to Shamrock Rovers on 9 October. Rovers are currently second in the table, and Drogheda held them to a 0-0 draw in their last meeting at the end of July.
More detail at Milliyet
The club confirmed the assist for Edwin Agbaje's 86th-minute winner came from Shane Farrell, not Conor Keeley. Drogheda United said Farrell's free-kick was converted by Agbaje with one touch. The side, who are 9th in the Premier Division with 34 points, now prepare for a trip to face Shamrock Rovers.
