Joey O'Brien’s first league defeat as Shelbourne boss could prove fatal to the club's chances of more European football in 2026 as Drogheda United kept their hopes of qualification alive with a well-earned victory at Sullivan & Lambe Park.
Dare Kareem’s brilliant first-half goal and Evan Caffrey’s unfortunate own goal put Drogheda in control of matters. Harry Wood’s 89th strike was a mere consolation for a Reds team who have taken just one point from six over this double-header weekend.
It is a crucial juncture of the domestic campaign and with a UEFA Conference League campaign still to come, their league prospects this year – and thus their continental hopes next year – look grim now.
Shelbourne are seven points off third place Derry City and three behind both Drogheda and St Patrick’s Athletic now. They will have to navigate two European matches before their domestic season ends and how they multi-task between matters domestic and continental is also likely to have a bearing on whether any slim hopes bring joy.
United were deserving of their victory though and it came after Kevin Doherty made four changes to the team that had drawn away to Sligo Rovers 72 hours earlier.
Teenager Kareem was one of the players Doherty opted to bring in for the second leg of a weekend double-header, with the 19-year-old making just a third league start for the club.
Just as it was in his first start against Galway in July, Kareem’s selection reaped reward. He took the plaudits from teammates and supporters but he didn’t merely finish the move – he made it.
The giant striker outmuscled Sean Gannon in midfield and then pressured JJ Lunney into making a hurried clearance back towards goal. Neither Paddy Barrett or goalkeeper Wessel Speel dealt with the loose ball – leaving it to each other and no one. Kareem took full advantage, running onto it and unleashing a brilliant curling effort that found the inside of the far post.
Shels began the second half displaying a purpose and intent missing in the first 45 minutes. They created very little though. Luke Dennison had made fine saves from Mipo Odubeko and Sean Boyd in the first half and that was most of his night's work.
Drogheda extended their lead when they made the most of a free kick inside their own half. Forward went their big men and Conor Keeley knocked down Dennison’s delivery. They found the net via Caffrey, the ball cannoning off the midfielder after Andy Quinn touched it beyond Speel.
There were seven minutes added on by referee Kevin O’Sullivan and after Wood had halved the deficit – scoring after an almighty scramble in the area – nerves began to jangle amongst the home supporters.
But their team smoothly navigated those murky late waters. They might still set sail for Europe next year. They are at least right in the mix with five games to play.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; James Bolger, Conor Keeley, Andrew Quinn; Owen Lambe, Luke Heeney (Darragh Markey, 62), Ryan Brennan (John O’Sullivan, 76), Kieran Cruise (Conor Kane, 75); Shane Farrell; Warren Davis (Josh Thomas, 62), Dare Kareem (Paul Doyle, 70).
Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Sean Gannon (Daniel Kelly 64), Patrick Barrett, Sam Bone (Kameron Ledwidge, 46); Milan Mbeng, JJ Lunney, Jack Henry-Francis (Kerr McInroy, 77), Evan Caffrey; Harry Wood; Sean Boyd (Ali Coote, 64), Mipo Odubeko (John Martin, 64).
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.
