Drogheda United will make a historic trip to Türkiye next month for a landmark friendly match against Süper Lig side Trabzonspor. The League of Ireland Premier Division club confirmed the fixture, scheduled for Thursday, October 1st at the 40,000-capacity Papara Park, as reported by Sport for Business. This will be the first time the club has played a match in Türkiye.
Why is this match being played?
The fixture is a central part of celebrations marking 75 years of formal diplomatic relations between Ireland and Türkiye. Drogheda United and Trabzonspor share a sister-club relationship established in 2010, a bond strengthened by their shared claret-and-blue colours. The connection deepened in 2023 when Drogheda supporters raised funds and displayed messages of solidarity following the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye. CEO Rían Wogan stated the club wants the visit to create a legacy through new connections involving its commercial partners and the wider Drogheda business community.
What happened with the previous planned meeting?
This trip follows a previous attempt to bring the clubs together that ended in disappointment. In March 2013, Trabzonspor traveled to Ireland with a 47-strong delegation for a planned friendly at Tallaght Stadium. That match was called off due to unplayable pitch conditions. Sport for Business noted the cancellation was harsh reward for the imagination shown in building a relationship that could extend well beyond football. Despite the setback, the clubs and their associated business chambers signed a goodwill protocol that year.
Where does Drogheda United stand currently?
The international break provides a valuable opportunity for Drogheda United, who are navigating a challenging phase in their domestic campaign. The team currently sits 9th in the Premier Division with 28 points from 29 games, having recorded six wins, ten draws, and thirteen losses. Their recent form has been difficult, with five consecutive defeats, including a 1-2 home loss to Galway United on September 4th. The squad has scored 33 goals this season while conceding 48, resulting in a -15 goal difference. They are 28 points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers. The upcoming friendly offers a chance to test the squad against high-quality opposition before the League of Ireland season concludes. You can track their progress in the standings.
What is the significance of this trip?
Beyond the football, the visit aims to forge lasting commercial and cultural links. The Drogheda & District Chamber will participate in efforts to develop new business connections with Türkiye, building on the protocol signed over a decade ago. The match itself will also feature in the documentary An Gorta Mór, The Star & The Crescent, highlighting the unique historical and social threads of the relationship. Facing a club like Trabzonspor, which operates at a vastly different financial level and boasts major international names like Mohamed Salah, represents a significant challenge and experience for the Drogheda squad. The club will use the trip as a mini-camp to prepare for their final domestic fixtures, the next of which is a home match against Sligo Rovers on September 11th. Fans can view the full fixtures schedule on our site.
