It is fast turning into the Warren Davis show at every Drogheda United match as the youngster put in another eye-catching, man-of-the-match winning display at Sullivan & Lame Park.
Davis once again underlined his vast potential by setting Drogheda on their way to victory and a return to the summit of the Premier Division.
The Tallaght native, who turned 20 last Monday, hit his third goal of a very productive campaign, to put United in control. They remained in that state until the final whistle.
Keith Long's team offered virtually no threat whatsoever in the 95 minutes of play. Having come so close to a victory over St Patrick’s Athletic last week, this was no hard luck story.
They were second best from start to finish and with results in Galway and Inchicore going their way, United are back on the summit with eight matches played.
It is a big enough sample size to properly assess their season to date – and perhaps reassess their ambitions for the remainder. Their fine start to the season - in both results and performance - shows no sign of abating.
Davis latched onto Ryan Brennan’s header and supplied a composed finish into the bottom corner on the stroke of half time.
Warren Davis gives Drogheda United the lead just before half-time! pic.twitter.com/U2bregDzdh
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 4, 2025
Markey’s 68th minute goal put the game beyond a reasonable doubt. He fired in a cross from the left towards Davis and giant centre back Conor Keeley in the area.
Neither were able to apply a touch and the ball flew past a hapless Stephen McMullan and into the net. Things are just falling Drogheda's way right now.
Darragh Markey doubles Drogheda United's lead....we think!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 4, 2025
A whipped in cross from Markey ends up in the back of the net but Conor Keeley is claiming it😅 pic.twitter.com/Pi7DCgfFS6
Brennan rattled the crossbar shortly after with a shot from the edge of the area.
For Waterford, this was a fourth straight defeat now. Their own stunning start to the season is fast becoming a distant memory.
They hardly tested the Drogheda goal all night long. Trae Coyle’s harmless shot in the first half was no real danger.
Padraig Amond’s only glimpse came early in the second period, but Andrew Quinn’s superb block stopped his shot at source. Drogheda never looked in danger as the clock ticked down.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, Conor Keeley, James Bolger; Owen Lambe, Shane Farrell (Luke Heeney, 89), Ryan Brennan, Conor Kane (Kieran Cruise, 51); Darragh Markey (Paul Doyle, 88); Thomas Oluwa (Dare Kareem, 88), Warren Davis.
Waterford: Stephen McMullan; Grant Horton, Kacper Radkowski, Darragh Leahy (Ben McCormack, 88), Ryan Burke; Rowan McDonald, Kyle White (Samuel Glenfield, 75), James Olayinka (Tommy Lonergan, 63); Conan Noonan, Trae Coyle (Dean McMenamy, 75); Padraig Amond.
Referee: Neil Doyle
