Drogs draw with Cork City

Shelbourne and Derry City were the beneficiaries as their nearest rivals Drogheda and Cork City fought out an entertaining scoreless draw at United Park tonight.

While the draw suits neither of these sides, Damien Richardson's men will make the long journey home the happier, after playing second fiddle to their hosts for long spells.

The Leesiders survived strong claims for a penalty in the first half when Alan Bennett appeared to trip Declan O’Brien in the box, while only the width of a post denied Paul Keegan a late winner for Paul Doolin's side.

In a lively opening, Drogheda 'keeper Dan Connor tipped a Denis Behan header over the bar inside a minute, while Michael Devine in the Cork goal parried an Eamon Zayed shot and their captain Dan Murray stopped Gavin Whelan’s follow-up on the line.

Devine was tested once more when Shane Barrett slipped past three challenges and fired towards goal, while Cork were perhaps fortunate to survive strong claims for a penalty kick when Declan O’Brien appeared to be upended by Alan Bennett.

Other than that very early chance, the Leesiders rarely threatened in the first half, perhaps their best opportunity coming from a free-kick when Neale Fenn was fouled 20 yards out.
However, Danny Murphy's curling effort sailed over the crossbar.

Damien Richardson’s half-time team talk seemed to have some effect, but although Cork enjoyed territorial advantage for a 15-minute spell, they were unable to create a clear-cut opportunity.

Drogheda looked more dangerous when they attacked, particularly via Robinson and Barrett on the flanks, but efforts from Whelan and Zayed were both blocked as the Cork defence protected their keeper more effectively than in the first half.

Seven minutes from time luck deserted Drogheda when O’Brien collected Connor's long clearance and delivered an early cross for Keegan, who lashed a 15-yard shot off the bar.

However, Cork nearly snatched an unlikely victory seconds before that when substitute John O’Flynn intercepted Damian Lynch's poor back-pass, only to be denied by keeper Connor as he attempted to find a team-mate in the six-yard area.

Drogheda United: Connor, Lynch, Webb, Gavin (Gray 88), Robinson, Whelan, O’Brien, Shelley, Zayed (Ristila 81), Keegan, Barrett.

Cork City: Devine, Murphy, Bennett, Murray, O’Brien, Fenn (Lordan 80), Woods, O’Donovan, Softic, Behan (O’Flynn 70), Horgan.