Top Drogs! United brush Waterford aside to claim historic first Under 20s title
Drogheda United 3-0 Waterford, EA Sports League of Ireland Men's Under 20 Tier One, Drogheda Institute of Further Education, 26/10/24
It was a game that swung this way, and then that. There was drama aplenty. Ultimately, it decided the destination of this year’s League of Ireland Under 20 league title with a game to spare. But enough about Bohemians and Cork City’s four-goal stalemate in Coolock. Whilst that game was not lacking for drama, it could not rival events 45 kilometres north for jubilant post-match scenes.
Those familiar with this young team will have felt that this Drogheda United side have been champions in waiting for some time. They made light work of the first phase of the league competition before starting the elite phase just as they had left off. They won 14 of their first 18 league games of the season, losing only one. A four match winless run between late August and early October threatened to derail their title tilt. The goals began to dry up, but belief did not dwindle.
The last of those four games without victory likely proved a turning point. Trailing to rivals UCD in the 94th minute of their away match in Terenure, goalkeeper Finn Moore poked a loose ball into the net after James Byrne’s free-kick. It was only a point - hard-fought nonetheless - but it will have felt like so much more.
Gavin Fleming and his charges might reasonably have felt at this point fate, destiny if you like, was on their side. The hard work would have to continue but combine effort with the occasional stroke of good fortune and success is invariably never to far away.
Since Moore’s memorable moment in the spotlight, United produced a four-goal dismissal of Wexford and then earned a credible 2-2 draw away to reigning champions Shamrock Rovers at Roadstone last week. Six goals was as many as they had struck in their previous six games. The drip of goals soon became a flood once more and the opposition defences could hardly stem the tide. This was a display of character as much as anything.
The same was the case on Saturday afternoon with Waterford the visitors to DIFE. A victory for the hosts coupled with Bohs failing to take three points against Cork would see Drogheda confirmed as champions. With that in mind, a strong United XI was selected.
Bridel Bosakani, just hours after scoring a stunning strike for the first time live on national television, was pressed into service with decidedly less eyes on him this time, while Killian Cailloce, another Tolka Park substitute on Friday night, spearheaded the attack.
The latter would prove the game’s key figure, hitting a brace; his first to hand United control and his third to seal a memorable win. It was certainly fitting that Cailloce’s 91st minute goal was the final word on United’s title bid. His strike was helped into the net by Waterford goalkeeper Oisin Aldred but the striker will not dwell on that. It was his 15th goal of a very productive first campaign back in claret-and-blue.
Callum Warren was the central figure as United began the game well. The midfielder’s progressive passing and ability to carry the ball through the lines caught the eye. Cailloce had the first effort of the game, but Aldred was behind his low shot.
James Byrne then fired just wide of the upright, meeting Conall Cronin’s layoff. It came at the end of some sumptuous Drogs build up. Bosakani’s involvement was cut short after he took a blow from Aldred in attempting to close down the goalkeeper’s clearance just prior to the half hour mark. The 20-year-old, who fitness permitting is likely to make Kevin Doherty’s FAI Cup final squad, was limping heavily as he made his way around the pitch perimeter.
The Blues came more into the game, with Evan Haddock forced to clear a couple of corner kicks. The superb Calum Costello forced Moore into a save with a shot from a narrow angle while Evan Geary’s effort from range swung harmlessly away from goal.
Both Warren and Harry O’Connor made superb covering runs on ether flank to extinguish brief Waterford flames too, with the latter especially receiving warm applause from the modest DIFE crowd for his expertly timed challenge.
On the second attempt, Aldred claimed Byrne’s low shot after fine work by substitute Sam Case. There was a sense of nervousness too, however. Everyone was aware of what United stood on the verge of, no less the players. The home side were standoffish in allowing Geary to execute an attempt that Moore turned around the post.
Seconds later, a dreadful giveaway at the back resulted in Costello having a free run at goal. His shot was off-target, but only just. A goal seemed likely, but which team would score it was a genuine uncertainty until Cailloce’s intervention.
Warren provided the pass into the striker. As he has done so often this season, his first touch and turn were exemplary and from the left side of the penalty area, his left-foot-strike from an angle flew past Aldred at his near post. It was an unerring finish.
Just before that, referee Isreal Ibeanu waved away calls for a penalty when Cronin went down under Fidel Pululu’s challenge. The complaints were many and loud but the opening goal meant that perceived injustice was soon forgotten.
Fleming was serving a suspension for this game, meaning his brief was a watching one this time around. That’s not to say there was a lack of vocal encouragement and instruction from the sidelines. Luke Reilly, John Morgan, Daniel McGivney and Kian Maguire made sure of that, as they have done all season long.
Waterford were unable to take the game to Drogheda after the break as they had so in the first. It was a physical mismatch in many respects. Giant centre back Haddock headed over from Sean McCarthy’s corner as Drogs searched for a second to settle the nerves.
They seemed in control at all times and were unable to affect matters at the Oscar Traynor Centre in any case. Bohs lead there was cancelled out and quickly restored. Cork’s goal had come from 17-year-old first team star Cathal O’Sullivan. If Cork were to do Drogheda a favour, there might have been a call of thanks put into Leesiders’ boss Tim Clancy. That favour would duly arrive.
A second equaliser, this time from Rhys Kelly-Noonan, meant victory for United would secure a historic first title at this level. A one-goal advantage in the game’s latter stages guaranteed nothing but a sense of nervousness, at least among the small crowd watching on.
Cailloce and Haddock both saw headers come off the woodwork in a matter of seconds and then McCarthy’s free - after Cian Cleary’s run through midfield was stopped illegally - was saved. Cleary was having a positive impact on the game. It was a superb piece of control in the Blues’ penalty area that preceded a foul by Pululu. Substitute Cameron Feehan, who had replaced cramp victim James Byrne five minutes earlier - put the spot kick low to Aldred’s right.
That was job done, pending the outcome of events in Coolock, which went United’s way courtesy of the 2-2 draw there. In the first minute of injury time, Cailloce bore down on the Waterford goalkeeper once more. His shot wasn’t his best, but it didn’t need to be as Aldred flailed. The net bulged and the rest is history.
United will enjoy a title presentation next weekend against St Patrick’s Athletic. It is a game scheduled to take place at DIFE but will likely to changed to United Park. These young stars deserve a suitable stage on which to strut their stuff for one final time in 2024.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Finn Moore; Ultan McLaoughlin, Osaze Irhue, Evan Haddock, Sean McCarthy; Callum Warren, James Byrne (Cameron Feehan, 83); Bridel Bosakani (Sam Case, 29), Conall Cronin, Harry O’Connor (Cian Cleary, 76); Killian Cailloce.
WATERFORD: Oisin Aldred; Fidel Pululu, N O’Brien, S Keane, S McDonald; S O’Sullivan ( J Brophy, 72), D Warren (A Dobbyn, 79), Calum Costello; R Miller, Evan Geary (J Wozniak, 71); Z O’Sullivan.
REFEREE: Isreal Ibeanu