Drogheda United and Derry City couldn't be separated at Sullivan & Lambe Park but a point for the Foylesiders means Shamrock Rovers must wait a little bit longer for their inevitable 22nd League of Ireland title success.
Dare Kareem’s first half strike, a superb volley for his second goal on home soil in just four days, had United in control. If there was a winner, they would have been deserving of it. Danny Mullen’s 54th minute goal proved enough to earn a point for the visitors.
As expected, there were changes on both sides. Drogheda reintroduced Conor Kane, Darragh Markey and on-loan Swansea City striker Josh Thomas to the starting XI.
Derry were not in action on Monday, but from their last outing – also against Shelbourne – they were without Alex Bannon and Dipo Akinyemi through injury. Both are expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Defender Sam Todd was absent from the matchday squad too, although Ronan Boyce did at least return from suspension. Hayden Cann also started in defence, against his former club.
Derry wing-back Brandon Fleming produced a moment of quality, driving past his opposite number Owen Lambe on the inside and advancing towards the area before drilling a low shot straight at Luke Dennison.
Adam O’Reilly and Sadou Diallo both took aim from range too but neither attempt worked the goalkeeper. The first narrowly wide, the second blocked by Andy Quinn’s boot.
Kareem’s goal came on 39 minutes. When Derry cleared a Drogheda free-kick, Kevin Doherty’s team recycled the ball to devastating effect.
Shane Farrell’s ball into the area was chested down by Conor Keeley. That knock-down was perfect for Kareem to meet it, volleying through a crowd of players and past goalkeeper Brian Maher.
Just days after his goal against Shelbourne, he continues to prove Drogheda’s unlikely man for the big occasion as the season edges towards its conclusion.
If Drogheda do earn an unlikely shot at Europe again via the league, the teenager – a complete unknown even to most United supporters a couple of months ago – will have made a major contribution.
Mullen’s goal pulled Derry level for a brief spell, it gave them a degree of urgency lacking before then.
The equaliser came at the end of a lightning break. Drogheda had conceded possession in midfield. The ball was worked through O’Reilly and Michael Duffy before Dennison kept out Fleming’s effort but could do nothing about Mullen’s.
Both sides struck the goal frame after that. Warren Davis – somehow – didn’t add to his seven goal this term as the post and a couple of Derry defenders denied him. Mullen almost had a second. He beat Dennison with a fiercely struck shot, but not the upright.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; James Bolger, Conor Keeley, Andrew Quinn; Owen Lambe, Ryan Brennan, Shane Farrell (Luke Heeney, 65), Conor Kane; Darragh Markey; Josh Thomas (Jack Stretton, 87), Dare Kareem (Warren Davis, 70).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Hayden Cann, Mark Connolly (Cameron Dummigan, 79), Jamie Stott; Ronan Boyce, Sadou Diallo, Carl Winchester, Brandon Fleming; Adam O’Reilly, Michael Duffy; Danny Mullen (Gavin Whyte, 86).
Referee: Rob Harvey
