Drogs Dare to dream as Kareem hits injury time winner against Finn Harps

Drogheda United 1-0 Finn Harps; EA Sports League of Ireland Men's Under 20 Group 1; Drogheda Institute of Further Education; 01/03/25

Drogheda United’s Sam Case in action. PHOTO CREDIT: Larry McQuillan

It looked for the all the world that Drogheda United Under 20s search for a first win of the season would extend to a third game. That was until, Dare I say, the most timely of interventions.

A first goal in claret-and-blue for striker Dare Kareem arrived in the 94th minute, with six added on by referee Ronan Little in total. The second half of this encounter with Finn Harps was riddled with stoppages and breaks in play as players, mostly for the away side, fell to the turf.

It meant lengthy added on time, of which United needed most of it to prevail. There was still time for Harps to earn a late free kick when Ethan Maher was penalised but after 17-year-old goalkeeper Theo Hennessy dealt with the delivery, the danger soon passed with the toot of the final whistle.

The 2024 champions have matched their start to last season although keeping pace with that sequence will prove difficult. That is especially given the Under 20s are acquainting themselves with new personnel and a new system too.

Last year’s take on 4-2-3-1 has been shelved in favour of something more akin to 3-5-2, with last week’s league opening draw against Shelbourne pairing Bridel Bosakani up front with new signing Dare Kareem.

With Bosakani not involved this week, the formation was a 3-4-2-1. Either way, it is certainly closer to the system that has brought success to Kevin Doherty’s first team.

There were eight key members of that title winning side involved today, with four new signings and two players who have graduated from the Under 17 set-up - goalkeeper Hennessy and Sean McGrath.

Kareem has swapped St Patrick’s Athletic for Drogheda in the off-season, with Drogs’ Head of Academy John Donohoe key in his acquisition. The giant striker had scored a late goal at this venue before - hitting a 96th minute equaliser for the Saints in a six-goal thriller last May.

His effort here was not quite as late but even more so consequential. It turned one point into three. He had seen a penalty saved against Shels last week and after a largely ineffectual display, the late winner could ignite his season. Once he hits his stride, he may be a hard man to stop.

Hennessy endured an early scare when failing to claim an aimless forward pass and then he watched Josh Cullen strike a low effort across goal and wide of the upright. After Harps’ Conor McGranaghan sent a free kick narrowly over the bar, Drogheda started to impose themselves on the game.

Ultan McLaughlin’s cross found Kareem but the centre forward’s shot was blocked at source. McGranaghan did get an effort on target for the visitors, but it was a perfect height for Hennessy to repel.

Another McLaughlin cross found it’s target shortly after the break but Taylor Mooney, while unchallenged, could not direct his header on target. Drogheda’s victory was a deserved one on the back of their second half dominance.

Before both Cian Cleary shot over the bar and Akeem arrowed a Sam Case over the bar, Harps briefly mustered a response. Tiernan Ruddy blazed over before the impressive Sean McCarthy was perfectly placed to head clear when Ruddy’s free kick wasn’t initially dealt with.

The match had been bereft of genuine quality with United looking like a side still getting to grips with a new system. Harry O’Connor, for example, occupied a deeper midfield position alongside Brady.

Drogheda’s substitutes proved effective, which will please Head Coach Gavin Fleming. Sam Case offered drive and precision on the right while Callum Bonner helped stitch things together late in the piece. Both are arrivals from county rivals Dundalk - Case last summer and Bonner in the winter.

On the turn, Maher blazed over while a very young Finn Harps side maintained a threat via Seaghan McCormick’s header which dropped wide of the post.

Referee Little kept his cards close to his chest, in a literal sense, for the majority. He did not brandish yellow until the 81st minute while Drogheda’s only bookings arrived in injury time - for centre backs Maher and Evan Haddock.

Sandwiched in between was Kareem’s goal, his first competitive notch for his new club. The striker latched onto a forward pass, his first touch perfectly keeping the ball within striking distance and the width of the posts. He showed real composure to delicately place his shot beyond the beaten Corey Sheridan.

The defending champions are up-and-running. What will 2025 bring?

DROGHEDA UNITED: Theo Hennessy; Ethan Maher, Evan Haddock, Sean McCarthy; Ultan McLaughlin (Sam Case, 68), Scott Brady, Harry O’Connor (Callum Bonner, 68), Cian Cleary; Conall Cronin (Sean McGrath, 80), Taylor Mooney; Dare Kareem.

FINN HARPS: Corey Sheridan; Dylan McAteer, Troy Preston (Rowan McGroarty, 82), Daniel Cunningham, James McAteer; Josh Cullen, Conor Gibson, Conor McGranaghan (Tiernan Callaghan McElwaine, 90+1), Seaghan McCormick; Tiernan Ruddy (Shaunie Bradley, 65), Colm Doherty (Adam McDaid, 65).

REFEREE: Ronan Little

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