Ryan Brennan's 96th-minute penalty ensured Drogheda United returned to winning ways in the most dramatic fashion as Cork City were beaten in a five-goal thriller at Sullivan & Lambe Park.
Cork City’s Djenairo Daniels struck a brace – the second of which arrived in the 85th minute – that looked to have denied Drogheda until Brennan’s late intervention. Thomas Oluwa was the player fouled by Cork goalkeeper Tein Troost.
Daniels’ early goal put Cork in front but Shane Farrell and Warren Davis struck either side of half-time to put Drogheda on course for victory against the struggling Leesiders.
Despite their respective positions in the table – Drogheda started bank holiday Monday in second place and Cork second from bottom – the form table told a different story.
Cork arrived on the banks of the Boyne unbeaten in three and fresh from a very credible point against Shamrock Rovers. Meanwhile, Drogheda’s fine start looked in danger of petering out. They were winless in four.
Not only had Drogheda let a two-goal lead and two points slip away in Sligo on Friday night, but the trip west had proved even more costly, with midfielders Paul Doyle and Darragh Markey both picking up injuries.
With goalkeeper Luke Dennison also missing against Cork owing to a dental issue, Doherty handed goalkeeper Jack Brady a first league start for the club as one of six changes from the draw at the Showgrounds.
Dutch striker Djenairo Daniels arrived at Sullivan & Lambe Park searching for his first Cork City goal. He answered the emergency call when signing for the club last month, with Sean Maguire and Ruairi Keating both sidelined.
Daniels, a PSV Eindoven youth product and Netherlands underage international, set alarm bells ringing in the home ranks after just eight minutes. He played in Kitt Nelson and the winger beat Andrew Quinn before delivering a cross from the byline.
Conor Keeley’s touch was insufficient and the ball ricocheted off the unfortunate Conor Kane before sitting up to allow Daniels (above) to blast in a shot via the crossbar.
The centre forward caused more problems for Drogheda thereafter with Kevin Doherty – just as was the case on Friday night – visibly furious with his defenders. United’s early season success has been underpinned by their defensive robustness but that has been less evident in recent weeks.
Their best chance of the game – prior to the goal – was when Douglas James Taylor, making his first start of the season, just failed to connect with Owen Lambe’s cross.
They were level five minutes before half-time. After Davis was brought down, Shane Farrell’s clipped off a head in the Cork City wall and nestled in the net. Troost had no chance once the touch diverted the ball’s natural course.
The home side had improved as the half wore on and deserved their equaliser, with Conor Kane’s wicked effort forcing Troost into action just before the break too.
The lead goal came via the boot of Davis. Luke Heeney swept the ball out to Lambe, who exchanged passes with Farrell en route to the byline. He delivered a cross to the front post where Davis found a finish.
There was to be more – and then even more - late drama though. Sean Murray sent Alex Nolan away down the left and he outmuscled Quinn and delivered a low cross into the area.
Despite substitute James Bolger being in close quarters, Daniels produced a nimble finish to beat Brady at his near post. When Oluwa was brought down, referee Aaron O’Dowd blew his whistle and Brennan kept his cool.
Drogheda United: Jack Brady; Andrew Quinn, Conor Keeley, George Cooper (James Bolger, 76); Owen Lambe, Luke Heeney, Ryan Brennan, Conor Kane; Shane Farrell; Douglas James-Taylor (Thomas Oluwa, 67), Warren Davis (Bridel Bosakani, 76).
Cork City: Tein Troost; Harry Nevin (Alex Nolan, 65), Freddie Anderson, Charlie Lyons, Mathew Kiernan (Rio Shipston, 53); Darragh Crowley, Sean Murray, Evan McLaughlin; Cathal O’Sullivan, Djenairo Daniels, Kitt Nelson (David Dunne, 77).
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd
