Champions get a United Park trophy lift after Saints stalemate
Drogheda United 0-0 St Patrick's Athletic, EA Sports League of Ireland Men's Under 20 Tier One, United Park, Drogheda, 02/11/24
For the second time in less that 24 hours, United Park played host to a scoreless draw but one that prompted jubilant scenes at the final whistle.
With an FAI Cup Final and a promotion/relegation playoff against Bray Wanderers to come in the next two weeks, Friday night was a send-off for Kevin Doherty’s first team with their season far from over. A party atmosphere was guaranteed whatever the outcome.
On Saturday, Drogheda United’s Under 20s closed the curtain on their 2024 campaign - but not before getting their hands on the Dr Tony O’Neill Cup. There were guaranteed happy faces at full time here too. United had secured the Under 20s title by virtue of their win against Waterford and Bohemians failure to defeat Cork City last week.
As was the case the night before, the game itself won’t live long in the memory. For only the third time in 26 league matches this year, the young Drogs didn’t find the net against St Patrick’s Athletic, coached by former Republic of Ireland and Drogheda striker Stephen Elliott.
With Killian Cailloce and Bridel Bosakani in their ranks this season - the duo have 25 league goals between them in 2024 - it is easy to forget that this team is built on defensive durability. 12 clean sheets across the both league phases speak to that.
If the strikers are the fine furnishings, a defence marshalled by Osaze Irhue and Evan Haddock are the solid foundations on which this title triumph was built. Everyone works hard in this team, though.
Having wrapped up the league seven days earlier, it was fitting that the Under 20s were allowed to end their season not at their regular base of DIFE but at United Park instead. Whilst the crowd was much smaller than you might regularly see at the storied old ground, they were just as appreciative of the team they had come to see. This was a family affair in many respects.
Club photographer Larry McQuillan was a busy man post-match. Anyone and everyone wanted their photo with the winning players and the newest piece of silverware that calls Drogheda home for a year at least. Mums, dads, brothers, sisters, cousins and grandparents savoured the occasion. Even Larry had his moment in front of the camera, with Sandra McAuley - the academy co-ordinator - assuming control of the camera momentarily.
When Pat Duffy, the National Coordinator for Underage Elite Football, handed the cup to captain Irhue on the pitch, the subsequent roar of the young team was a joyous outpouring after a season in which they have given their all on an regular basis.
The visitors, in turn, gave champions Drogheda a guard of honour prior to kick off. Drogs were missing Bosakani and midfielder James Byrne - with four changes made by Head Coach Gavin Fleming. Ryan Maher, Cameron Feehan, Fayo Adeogun and Ultan McLaughlin came into the side.
The Saints enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, with Jason Oyenuga striking a post with a shot across Maher’s goal. Jamie Gray was off-target from close range and Maher was fortunate to claim Matthew O’Hara’s corner on the second attempt with a Pat’s player lurking nearby.
Oyenuga fired wide again soon after and after a superb turn left Cleary grounded, his cross was cleared. Irhue was required to make a last-ditch block after some nervy play as Drogs attempted to play the ball out from the back.
Callum Warren’s forceful run from deep dragged United up the pitch and after a one-two exchange with Cleary, the midfielder won a corner. Pats remained on top though until the last five minutes of the first half.
Killian Cailloce twice had glimpses of goal - the latter blocked by Orlandas Jakas - and Cleary was denied a penalty when referee Kate O’Brien waved away his claims after an apparent barge by Sam Steward. Warren’s long range effort just cleared the bar and Drogheda got some joy with a succession of switches of play to Adeogun on the right.
A straight red card on the hour mark for Pat’s Jamie Gray handed the impetus to the home team but even before that, they had assumed a certain control in the contest.
After Haddock - one of the game’s standout players alongside Cleary and Warren - made a superb tackle to deny Ruairi Morgan inside the opening minute of the second half, Cleary volleyed harmlessly over the bar.
The former St Kevin’s Boys youngster then clipped the bar only for the assistant referee to raise his flag. Warren’s probing pass toward substitute Sam Case was cut out as the winger threatened to race though. United’s best opportunity of the game was still to come.
Conall Cronin’s left foot strike forced a stunning save from Pat’s goalkeeper Daragh Mooney who then denied Cailloce with the follow-up. Drogs went close again when O’Hara almost turned into his own net.
In injury time, Pat’s almost spoiled the party. Jakas unleashed a 25-yard shot; Maher was beaten, the upright was not. Having picked up the loose ball and after creating space for himself, Sam Rooney shot wide. United survived - but in the context of the whole season, they did much more than that. They thrived.
Their Under 20 title success is a first in the club’s history at this level. Ask those involved with the academy and few are willing to indulge in any self-satisfying back-slapping though. They say this is just the start.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Finn Moore; Manny Milongo (Harry O’Connor, 77), Osaze Irhue, Evan Haddock, Ultan McLaughlin (Ethan Maher, 71); Callum Warren, Cameron Feehan (Tadgh Dunne, 61); Fayo Adeogun (Sam Case, 61), Conall Cronin, Cian Cleary; Killian Cailloce (Sean McCarthy, 77).
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Daragh Mooney; Caighlum Barry Mulvey (Daniel McHale, 66), Sam Steward, Orlandas Jakas, Matthew O’Hara; Rhys Bartley, Anthony Dodd (Cian Carmody, 67), Jamie Gray; Jason Oyenuga, Ruairi Morgan (Sam Rooney, 61), Luke Kehir (Dare Akeem, 77).
REFEREE: Kate O’Brien
*This is a free article, available to subscribers to our free plan. These articles will only be occasional so to read our premium articles and have access to our entire archive, be sure to subscribe.