Once again, Drogheda United and Dundalk could not be separated, with the Louth derby finishing all square after a game that could have gone either way but ending up going neither.
Gbemi Arubi's fifth goal of an good season so far for the youngster was cancelled out after half time by Leo Burney’s first goal of the season, a first for his new club too.
Filling in for the missing Conor Keeley, there are few better ways to endear yourself to a home crowd than a crucial derby goal. The Seattle-born defender will always have that.
Dundalk were much the better side in the opening half and their own goal lead was the least they deserved. Drogheda, to their credit, came into the game after the break. They could hardly have been much worse, though.
A Louth derby is still a new sensation for some of the players involved on both sides. For Drogheda, goalkeeper Fynn Talley was making his debut in the fixture while four more were experiencing just their second taste.
Three of Ciaran Kilduff’s starting XI – Enda Minogue, Harvey Warren and Shane Tracey – were Louth derby first-timers too.
The scenes at Oriel Park back in February – ones that caused such uproar, opprobrium and consternation – was the latest example of this match being one that rarely passes by quietly. Incident is usually guaranteed, be it on the pitch or off it.
But this match passed off without much incident; or certainly any that will live long in the memory.
Already without one of their on pitch talismen in Conor Keeley, Drogheda’s task was all the tougher against a Dundalk team who have taken to their task exceptionally well on return to the top flight.
And it looked tough in the opening 45 minutes. They were far off the standards required by the suspended Kevin Doherty, or his assistant Daire Doyle who patrolled the touchline in his absence.
Arubi’s goal was opportunistic and well taken. Aodh Dervin’s forward pass was intended for Daryl Horgan, but the Dundalk veteran was shoved to the ground by Burney.
Referee Rob Hennessy indicted for play to continue and the ball rolled kindly for Arubi to take it into the area, beat Andrew Quinn for strength and send a shot to the bottom corner.
Horgan, Eoin Kenny and Tyreke Wilson all went close to doubling the lead in one madcap sequence and they would rue that failure to add another.
The equaliser came on 57 minutes when Seattle-born Burney headed into Brandon Kavanagh’s corner.
The same combination almost produced a Drogheda second, but Burney headed over. Thomas Oluwa went close too, as did Dervin who shot over as the Lilywhites pressed.
A draw and a match that passed off without incident; everyone will be pleased.
Drogheda United: Fynn Talley; Edwin Agbaje, Leo Burney, Andrew Quinn, Conor Kane; Ryan Brennan (Jago Godden, 82), Shane Farrell (Ethan O’Brien, 74); Warren Davis (Kieran Cruise, 29), Brandon Kavanagh, Thomas Oluwa; Mark Doyle
Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Harvey Warren, Rob Cornwall, Bobby Burns; Declan McDaid (Danny Mullen, 71), Aodh Dervin, Shane Tracey (Keith Buckley, 62), Tyreke Wilson; Eoin Kenny, Daryl Horgan (Leo Gaxha, 46) Gbemi Arubi
Referee: Rob Hennessy
