DROGHEDA UTD FC vs. DUNDALK FC MATCH PRESS KIT AIRTRICITY LEAGUE DUNDALKFC.COM: OFFICIAL

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1 DUNDALKFC.COM: OFFICIAL DROGHEDA UTD FC vs. DUNDALK FC AIRTRICITY LEAGUE Premier Division Series 8 Friday 22 April 2011, 7.45pm

2 Contents 2-4 Match background 12/13 League statistics 5 Latest match, injury/disciplinary news Match-by-match lineups 6/7 Squad and management information 18/19 Team facts 8/9 Results & fixtures information 20 Head-to-head 10/11 League tables This press kit includes information relating to this Airtricity League Premier Division match. Match background Dundalk and Drogheda United will meet in the Louth Derby for the 75th time in league competition when they go head-to-head at United Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm), the Lilywhites looking for their first away points of the season and their local rivals aiming for their first league win since defeating Sporting Final at Morton Stadium on 19 July last. Incredibly, Drogheda have gone 22 league games without winning, drawing five and losing 17, on an aggregate score of In the 2-1 come-from-behind win over Fingal, Ronan McEnteggart and Alan McNally, who remain at United Park, scored. Last season, Dundalk won both games at United Park on a 3-1 scoreline, ending a ten-year wait, stretching back to December 2000, for a win at the venue, while it was their first top-flight victory there since January Drogheda will also be hoping to end, at the 13th attempt, a winless run in the league against Dundalk which stretches back 13 years to 16 April On that evening, Joe Gallen and Noel Reid scored early goals to give the Boynesiders a 2-0 win at Oriel Park. Their last league win over the Lilywhites at United Park came three months earlier when they recorded a 1-0 win courtesy of a 64th-minute goal from Reid. In the 12 subsequent meetings, between August 2000 and last September, Dundalk have won nine and drawn three, on an aggregate score of Drogheda have, however, come out on top in the clubs last four cup ties winning in the 2004 FAI Cup (after a replay), 2005 FAI Cup, and the 2004 and 2006 League Cups. Interestingly, there have been 11 penalties awarded in the last 12 encounters, nine of which have been successful. There was, though, no spot kick in the last three games. The last player to miss was Shane Barrett for Drogheda at Oriel Park on 24 July 09, on 85 minutes. The last Dundalk man to miss a penalty in the fixture was Garry Haylock in the FAI Cup at Oriel Park on 22 July 2004, in the 21st minute. That was the last scoreless draw between the sides. The last such scoreline between the two in the league was on 15 March 1992 at Oriel Park. You have to go back nearly 28 years for the last at United Park, that coming on 23 September Of the 12 different scorers from last year s four meetings, only two players remain Ross Gaynor, who scored in both trips to United Park, and Stephen McDonnell. 2

3 There have been 30 goals in the eight meetings since Dundalk s return to the Premier Division in The most recent dismissal in this fixture came in the last meeting, on 10 September, when Glen Fitzpatrick was a victim of mistaken identity as he was shown a straight red card on the stroke of half-time by referee Damien Hancock. The last Dundalk player sent off was Michael Daly in a 2-2 draw at United Park on 2 October 2009, as he received a straight red card on 58 minutes for a tackle on Conor Kenna. The man in the middle that evening was Dave McKeon. Daly, incidentally, switched to Drogheda for Dundalk s top scorer after 14 competitive games this year is Mark Quigley, with eight goals. In total: 8 Quigley, 5 Daniel Kearns & Jason Byrne, 3 Gaynor, 1 Shane Guthrie & Johnny Breen. Byrne is co-highest scorer in the Premier Division, along with Shamrock Rovers Gary Twigg and Derry City s Gareth McGlynn, on four goals. Quigley is close behind, one of six players on three goals. Drogheda have scored five goals this year, all by different players Colin O'Brien, David Freeman, Seán Skelly, Philip Hand and Daragh Hanaphy. Both teams have been awarded one penalty this season, and have a 100 percent strike rate Byrne netting away to Shamrock Rovers on 4 March and Freeman converting against Derry on 18 March. Dundalk have conceded five spot kicks, including two at home to Glentoran on 21 March and two away to Linfield on 14 February. For Glens, Andrew Waterworth missed the first but Matthew Burrows netted the second. For Linfield, Peter Thompson scored the first but Cherrie saved his second, although Robert Garrett put in the rebound. The other was at home to Galway when Joseph Yoffe scored. Drogheda have conceded one penalty, away to Sligo Rovers on 25 March, but Alan Keane saw his penalty saved by David Quirke. Mark Griffin is the only member of Ian Foster s 19-man panel yet to start a competitive game this year. He was used as a late substitute in the Leinster Senior Cup (LSC) against Shamrock Rovers in February and again against UCD on 1 April, meaning every player has had a taste of action. Between League and League Cup, Drogheda manager Mick Cooke has used a total of 22 players in eight games. Captain Simon Madden is the only player to have played every minute of Dundalk s 14 competitive games to date. For Drogheda, Freeman has appeared in all nine competitive games, but has not played every minute. Dundalk have three ex-drogheda players in their ranks Ross Gaynor, Eoghan Osborne and Paul Murphy. Drogheda have only one ex-dundalk player, Stephen Quigley, who arrived at Oriel Park midway through the 2007 season. Colin O Brien was also on the books of the club but never made a senior appearance, while 3

4 Gareth Whelan s trial during 2011 pre-season proved unsuccessful. Dundalk are the only team in the Premier Division that still boast an unbeaten home record, with two wins and two draws from four outings. However, they also have the worst away record in the top flight, losing all three games, conceding eight goals while scoring three. Drogheda are equally as poor on the road, the Boynesiders above their rivals on only goal difference, as the Louth duo remain the only clubs without an away point this season. Drogheda s points have come in draws at home to Derry and Galway. Their other two outings at United Park ended in defeats by UCD and Shamrock Rovers. At the half-time break, Dundalk have been winning twice, drawing four times and losing once. The only time they have been behind at the interval was away to Derry on 8 April. Drogheda have led once, been drawing twice and behind four times. The only time they were ahead was at home to Galway on 8 April. In the second half, Dundalk have won just once, drawn four times and lost twice the only time they have outscored a team in the second half coming at home to Galway on 11 March. Drogheda have won twice but lost five times their wins coming against Derry at United Park on 18 March and away to Bray Wanderers last Friday, 15 April. Dundalk are the third-highest scorers in the league with ten goals, sitting behind Derry (12) and Shamrock Rovers (11). They also have the joint-second worst defence, conceding 12 goals, the same number as Galway. Drogheda have the leakiest backline, shipping 13 goals. They are the second-lowest scorers with four goals, one more than UCD. Dundalk have scored in 11 of their 14 games only failing to net against Shamrock Rovers (in LSC), Bohemians and Derry. They have kept just two clean-sheets away to Glentoran and at home to Bohs. Drogheda have scored in four of their nine games, but have kept only one cleansheet in that period away to Bray in the League Cup on 28 March. Dundalk have done most of their scoring in the minute bracket, netting three of their ten goals in that time. They have also conceded most of their goals in that period, shipping four of their total of 12. Drogheda have scored half of their four goals in the minute bracket. They have started both halves particularly poorly, conceding nine (four first half/five second half) of their 13 in the opening 15 minutes. Foster has only twice had the luxury of fielding an unchanged side to the previous game, the latest away to Cliftonville on 4 April. Cooke has yet to name a settled side. 4

5 Latest match, injury/disciplinary news Dundalk Last Match: Monday 18 April: Dundalk 2-1 Cliftonville (Byrne 67, Breen 90+3; O Connor 59) Goals from Jason Byrne and Johnny Breen in the final quarter saw Dundalk safely through to their first cup final in nine years as they survived a scare from Kieran O Connor to win 2-1 on the night and complete a 5-2 aggregate victory over Cliftonville in the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final at Oriel Park on Monday night. O Connor had brought the Belfast club back into the tie with a header just before the hour mark, but the Lilywhites responded well, and Byrne levelled with a powerful header on 67 minutes before they completed a turnaround on the night when, deep in injury time, substitute Breen, with just the keeper to beat, composed himself and fired to the bottom corner. Injury/Disciplinary news For the short trip to Drogheda, Dundalk manager Ian Foster will again be without leftback Eoghan Osborne, who is out until July at the earliest with a fractured tibia. Central midfield duo Greg Bolger (thigh strain) and Stephen Maher (torn groin muscles) are sidelined until next month. Fellow midfielder Dean Bennett (hamstring) continues to struggle for fitness, while centre half Shane Guthrie (blurred vision & concussion) is also unlikely to feature. Foster has no suspension worries. Miscellaneous Having had four between them in March, no Dundalk player has a birthday in April. Drogheda United Last Match: Friday 15 April: Bray Wanderers 2-1 Drogheda United (O Connor 6, Massey 9; Hanaphy 81) Early goals from Danny O Connor and Dane Massey proved enough to give Bray Wanderers their first home win since last September as they defeated Drogheda United 2-1 at the Carlisle Grounds last Friday night, as the Boynesiders winless run, stretching back to last July, continued. O Connor put his side in front after just six minutes when he headed in at the back post. Moments later, Gary Dempsey s free-kick from the right was met by a glancing header by Massey, who celebrated his 23rd birthday two days early. Bray could have extended their advantage, seeing a number of chances cleared off the line, while they also hit the post. Those misses almost proved costly as Drogheda pulled a goal back on 81 minutes through Daragh Hanaphy, but Bray held out to continue their bright start to the season. Injury/Disciplinary news - Miscellaneous Drogheda United manager Mick Cooke will celebrate his 60th birthday in August. The combined age of Dundalk s management team of Foster and Darius Kierans is 65. 5

6 Squad and management information Dundalk (Statistics from ALL Competitions) No. Player Nat. DoB Age Apps. Starts Goals Assists Goalkeepers 1 Peter Cherrie SCO Paul Murphy IRL Defenders 2 Simon Madden IRL Eoghan Osborne IRL Colin Hawkins IRL Michael Hector ENG Nathan Murphy IRL Shane Guthrie IRL Midfielders 4 Dean Bennett ENG Daniel Kearns IRL Stephen Maher IRL Ross Gaynor IRL Greg Bolger IRL Stephen McDonnell IRL Keith Ward IRL Forwards 9 Mark Quigley IRL Jason Byrne IRL Mark Griffin IRL Johnny Breen IRL Management - Ian Foster ENG Darius Kierans IRL

7 Squad and management information Drogheda United (Statistics from ALL Competitions (Excludes Leinster Senior Cup)) No. Player Nat. DoB Age Apps. Starts Goals Assists Goalkeepers - David Quirke IRL Stephen Trimble IRL Cian Byrne IRL Defenders - Anthony Costigan IRL Victor Ekanem NGR Brian Gannon IRL Róbert Kovacsevics HUN Gareth Whelan IRL Alan McNally IRL Stephen Quigley IRL Seán Skelly IRL Ciarán Hoey IRL Ronan McEnteggart IRL Midfielders - Mark O Brien IRL Philip Hand IRL John Lester IRL Stephen McCrossan IRL Philip McDonagh IRL Mark Nolan IRL Colin O Brien IRL Jack Flynn IRL Paul Matondo COD Peter McMahon IRL Forwards - Daniel Corcoran IRL David Freeman IRL Darragh Hanaphy IRL Darragh McNamara IRL Stephen Campbell IRL Management - Mick Cooke IRL Robbie Horgan IRL

8 Results & fixture information Dundalk (Formline: WWDDLWWLDW) Comp. Date Opponent Res. Goalscorers SSC 14/02/11 Linfield (A) 5-3 Kearns 31, 66, 92, Quigley 54, 75 LSC 22/02/11 Shamrock Rovers (H) 0-2 SSC 28/02/11 Linfield (H) 1-1 Gaynor 11 League 04/03/11 Shamrock Rovers (A) 1-3 Byrne 44 (pen) SSC 07/03/11 Glentoran (A) 1-0 Quigley 82 League 11/03/11 Galway United (H) 3-2 Quigley 18, Byrne 71, Guthrie 87 League 18/03/11 Bohemians (H) 0-0 SSC 21/03/11 Glentoran (H) 1-1 Gaynor 80 League 25/03/11 Saint Patrick s Athletic (A) 2-3 Quigley 17, 48 League 01/04/11 UCD (H) 3-1 Gaynor 42, Kearns 45, Byrne 72 SSC 04/04/11 Cliftonville (A) 3-1 Quigley 48, 82, Kearns 73 League 08/04/11 Derry City (A) 0-2 League 15/04/11 Sligo Rovers (H) 1-1 Byrne 7 SSC 18/04/11 Cliftonville (H) 2-1 Byrne 67, Breen 90+3 League 22/04/11 Drogheda United (A) LCup 25/04/11 Monaghan United (A) League 29/04/11 Bray Wanderers (H) League 02/05/11 Shamrock Rovers (H) League 06/05/11 Galway United (A) League 09/05/11 Bohemians (A) League 13/05/11 Saint Patrick s Athletic (H) P-P SSC 14/05/11 Shamrock Rovers (N) League 20/05/11 UCD (A) League 26/05/11 Derry City (H) League 30/05/11 Sligo Rovers (A) League 10/06/11 Drogheda United (H) League 17/06/11 Bray Wanderers (A) League 20/06/11 Shamrock Rovers (A) League 24/06/11 Galway United (H) League 01/07/11 Bohemians (H) League 08/07/11 Saint Patrick s Athletic (A) League 15/07/11 UCD (H) League 22/07/11 Derry City (A) League 05/08/11 Sligo Rovers (H) League 12/08/11 Drogheda United (A) League 19/08/11 Bray Wanderers (H) League 03/09/11 Shamrock Rovers (H) League 09/09/11 Galway United (A) League 12/09/11 Bohemians (A) League 23/09/11 Saint Patrick s Athletic (H) League 30/09/11 UCD (A) League 08/10/11 Derry City (H) League 15/10/11 Sligo Rovers (A) League 21/10/11 Drogheda United (H) League 28/10/11 Bray Wanderers (A) 8

9 Results & fixture information Drogheda United (Formline: LLLDLWLDL) Comp. Date Opponent Res. Goalscorers LSC 25/02/11 Wexford Youths (A) 0-1 League 04/03/11 UCD (H) 0-1 League 11/03/11 Bohemians (A) 0-1 League 18/03/11 Derry City (H) 2-2 O Brien 63, Freeman 65 (pen) League 25/03/11 Sligo Rovers (A) 0-2 LCup 28/03/11 Bray Wanderers (A) 1-0 Skelly 61 League 01/04/11 Shamrock Rovers (H) 0-4 League 08/04/11 Galway United (H) 1-1 Hand 8 League 15/04/11 Bray Wanderers (A) 1-2 Hanaphy 81 League 22/04/11 Dundalk (H) LCup 25/04/11 UCD (H) League 29/04/11 Saint Patrick s Athletic (A) League 02/05/11 UCD (A) League 06/05/11 Bohemians (H) League 10/05/11 Derry City (A) League 13/05/11 Sligo Rovers (H) League 20/05/11 Shamrock Rovers (A) League 26/05/11 Galway United (A) League 30/05/11 Bray Wanderers (H) League 10/06/11 Dundalk (A) League 17/06/11 Saint Patrick s Athletic (H) League 21/06/11 UCD (H) League 24/06/11 Bohemians (A) League 01/07/11 Derry City (H) League 09/07/11 Sligo Rovers (A) League 15/07/11 Shamrock Rovers (H) League 22/07/11 Galway United (H) League 05/08/11 Bray Wanderers (A) League 12/08/11 Dundalk (H) League 19/08/11 Saint Patrick s Athletic (A) League 03/09/11 UCD (A) League 09/09/11 Bohemians (H) League 12/09/11 Derry City (A) League 23/09/11 Sligo Rovers (H) League 30/09/11 Shamrock Rovers (A) League 08/10/11 Galway United (A) League 14/10/11 Bray Wanderers (H) League 21/10/11 Dundalk (A) League 28/10/11 Saint Patrick s Athletic (H) 9

10 League tables Pos. Club Pld W D L GF GA Pts 1 Shamrock Rovers Derry City Sligo Rovers Bray Wanderers Bohemians Saint Patrick s Athletic Dundalk UCD Galway United Drogheda United HOME Pos. Club Pld W D L GF GA Pts 1 Dundalk Shamrock Rovers Sligo Rovers Saint Patrick s Athletic Derry City Bohemians Bray Wanderers Drogheda United Galway United UCD AWAY Pos. Club Pld W D L GF GA Pts 1 Derry City Bray Wanderers Shamrock Rovers Bohemians Sligo Rovers UCD Galway United Saint Patrick s Athletic Drogheda United Dundalk

11 League tables FIRST 45 MINUTES Pos. Club Pld W D L GF GA Pts 1 Derry City Shamrock Rovers Bohemians Dundalk Sligo Rovers Bray Wanderers Saint Patrick s Athletic Drogheda United Galway United UCD SECOND 45 MINUTES Pos. Club Pld W D L GF GA Pts 1 Shamrock Rovers Sligo Rovers Bohemians Derry City Bray Wanderers UCD Galway United Saint Patrick s Athletic Dundalk Drogheda United

12 League statistics Goals scored Player Club Total Gary Twigg Shamrock Rovers 4 Gareth McGlynn Derry City 4 Jason Byrne Dundalk 4 Mark Quigley Dundalk 3 John Dillon Sligo Rovers 3 Anthony Flood Bohemians 3 Danny O Connor Bray Wanderers 3 James McClean Derry City 3 Eamon Zayed Derry City 3 Gary McCabe Shamrock Rovers 2 Daniel Lafferty Derry City 2 David McMillan Saint Patrick s Athletic 2 Evan McMillan Saint Patrick s Athletic 2 Jake Kelly Bray Wanderers 2 Joseph Yoffe Galway United 2 Conor Murphy Bray Wanderers 2 Seán Kelly Galway United 2 Alan Kirby Sligo Rovers 2 Anthony Murphy Saint Patrick s Athletic 2 Other selected players from Dundalk & Drogheda United Shane Guthrie Dundalk 1 Ross Gaynor Dundalk 1 Daniel Kearns Dundalk 1 Colin O Brien Drogheda United 1 David Freeman Drogheda United 1 Philip Hand Drogheda United 1 Darragh Hanaphy Drogheda United 1 Goal times Time Goals Average Between minute 1 and % Between minute 16 and % Between minute 31 and % In additional time 1st half 0 0% Between minute 46 and % Between minute 61 and % Between minute 76 and % In additional time 2 nd half 2 2.6% Total Goals per Game 12

13 Scoring times Club League statistics Minutes ST ST2 Tot Derry City Sham. Rovers Dundalk Bray Wanderers St. Pat s Ath Bohemians Sligo Rovers Galway Utd Drogheda Utd UCD TOTAL Concession times Club Minutes ST ST2 Tot Drogheda Utd Dundalk Galway Utd St. Pat s Ath UCD Bray Wanderers Derry City Bohemians Sham. Rovers Sligo Rovers TOTAL

14 Match-by-match lineups Dundalk Linfield Dundalk 3-5 Windsor Park, Belfast Goals: 0-1 Kearns 31, 1-1 Thompson 43 (pen), 1-2 Quigley 54, 2-2 Garrett 62, 2-3 Kearns 66, 2-4 Quigley 75, 3-4 Allen 81, 3-5 Kearns 92 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Bennett, Hawkins, N Murphy, Bolger, Ward (McDonnell 85), Kearns, Quigley, Gaynor, Byrne. Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), Maher, Griffin, Breen Dundalk Shamrock Rovers 0-2 Oriel Park, Dundalk Goals: 0-1 O Neill 35, 0-2 Corcoran 78 Glentoran: Cherrie, Madden, Osborne (N Murphy 78), Guthrie, Hawkins, McDonnell (Kearns 67), Ward, Gaynor, Bolger, Quigley (Griffin 78), Breen. Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK) Dundalk Linfield 1-1 Oriel Park, Dundalk Goals: 1-0 Gaynor 11, 1-1 Gault 45+1 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Guthrie, Hawkins, Osborne, Bennett, Bolger (Ward 81), Kearns, Quigley, Gaynor (Maher 61), Byrne. Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), Hector, N Murphy, McDonnell, Breen Shamrock Rovers Dundalk 3-1 Tallaght Stadium, Dublin Goals: 0-1 Byrne 44 (pen), 1-1 McCabe 45, 2-1 Twigg 50, 3-1 Twigg 56 Glentoran: Cherrie, Madden, Osborne (Hector 50), Hawkins, Guthrie, Kearns, Bennett, Bolger (Maher 81), Gaynor, Byrne, Quigley (P Murphy 24). Unused Subs: N Murphy, McDonnell, Ward, Breen Glentoran Dundalk 0-1 The Oval, Belfast Goals: 0-1 Quigley 82 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Hector, Guthrie, N Murphy, Bennett, Maher, Kearns, Quigley, Ward (McDonnell 90), Byrne (Breen 88). Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), Bolger, Griffin Dundalk Galway United 3-2 Oriel Park, Dundalk Goals: 1-0 Quigley 18, 1-1 Yoffe 21 (pen), 2-1 Byrne 71, 2-2 Seán Kelly 77, 3-2 Guthrie 87 Dundalk: P Murphy, Madden, Hawkins, Guthrie, N Murphy, Bennett (Maher 45+1), Ward, Kearns, Quigley, Gaynor, Byrne. Unused Subs: McDonnell, Griffin, Breen Dundalk Bohemians 0-0 Oriel Park, Dundalk Goals: - Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Hawkins, Guthrie, N Murphy, Maher, Ward, Kearns, Quigley, McDonnell (Breen 70), Byrne. Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), Griffin, McSorley, Duffy, Trainor, Hutchinson. 14

15 Dundalk Glentoran 1-1 Oriel Park, Dundalk Goals: 0-1 Burrows 60 (pen), 1-1 Gaynor 80 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Hawkins, Guthrie, N Murphy, Bolger (Maher 65), Ward, Kearns, Quigley, Gaynor, Byrne. Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), McDonnell, Griffin, Breen St. Patrick s Athletic Dundalk 3-2 Richmond Park, Dublin Goals: 0-1 Quigley 17, 0-2 Quigley 48, 1-2 D McMillan 59, 2-2 E McMillan 62, 3-2 Mulcahy 90 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Hawkins, Hector, N Murphy, Bolger, Ward (Maher 63), Kearns, Quigley, Gaynor, Byrne. Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), McDonnell, Griffin, Breen Dundalk UCD 3-1 Oriel Park, Dundalk Goals: 1-0 Gaynor 42, 2-0 Kearns 45, 2-1 Corry 69, 3-1 Byrne 72 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Hawkins, Guthrie, N Murphy, McDonnell, Ward, Kearns, Quigley (Griffin 87), Gaynor, Byrne (Breen 83). Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), Hector Cliftonville Dundalk 1-3 Solitude, Belfast Goals: 1-0 McMullan 25, 1-1 Quigley 48, 1-2 Kearns 73, 1-3 Quigley 82 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Hawkins, Guthrie, N Murphy, McDonnell, Ward, Kearns, Quigley, Gaynor, Byrne (Breen 82). Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), Hector, Griffin Derry City Dundalk 2-0 The Brandywell, Derry Goals: 1-0 McGlynn 31, 2-0 Zayed 36 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Hawkins, Guthrie, N Murphy, Bennett, McDonnell (Ward 76), Kearns, Quigley, Gaynor, Byrne. Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), Hector, Griffin, Breen Dundalk Sligo Rovers 1-1 Oriel Park, Dundalk Goals: 1-0 Byrne 7, 1-1 Peers 32 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Hawkins, Hector, N Murphy, Bennett (Ward 38), McDonnell, Kearns, Quigley, Gaynor, Byrne (Breen 81). Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), Griffin, Duffy Dundalk Cliftonville 2-1 Oriel Park, Dundalk Goals: 0-1 O Connor 59, 1-1 Byrne 67, 2-1 Breen 90+3 Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Hawkins, Hector, N Murphy, McDonnell, Ward, Kearns (Breen 77), Quigley, Gaynor, Byrne. Unused Subs: P Murphy (GK), Griffin, Duffy, Kerr. Note: Players in red signal change to lineup from previous game. 15

16 Match-by-match lineups Drogheda United Wexford Youths Drogheda U 1-0 Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford Goals: 1-0 Furlong 90+3 Drogheda United: Unknown. Unused Subs: Unknown Drogheda U UCD 0-1 Goals: 0-1 Morrison 80 Drogheda United: Quirke, Gannon, Quigley, McNally, Whelan, Lester, M O Brien, McCrossan, Hand (Skelly 79), Freeman, Corcoran (Hanaphy 58). Unused Subs: Byrne (GK), Flynn, McNamara, Nolan, McDonagh Bohemians Drogheda U 1-0 Dalymount Park, Dublin Goals: 1-0 Flood 60 Drogheda United: Quirke, Gannon, McNally (Nolan 65), Whelan, Hand, McNamara (C O Brien 67), M O Brien, Lester, McCrossan, Freeman, Corcoran. Unused Subs: Trimble (GK), Ekanem, Skelly, Flynn, Hanaphy Drogheda U Derry City 2-2 Goals: 0-1 Zayed 6, 0-2 McGlynn 54, 1-2 O Brien 63, 2-2 Freeman 65 (pen) Drogheda United: Quirke, Gannon, Costigan, McNally, Whelan (Nolan 79), Lester, M O Brien, C O Brien, Hand, Freeman, Corcoran. Unused Subs: Trimble (GK), Flynn, McCrossan, McNamara, Hanaphy, McDonagh Sligo Rovers Drogheda U 2-0 The Showgrounds, Sligo Goals: 1-0 Dillon 4, 2-0 Dillon 68 Drogheda United: Quirke, Gannon, Quigley, Whelan, Costigan (McCrossan 33), C O'Brien, Lester (Flynn 62), M O'Brien, Hand, Corcoran, Freeman (McDonagh 74). Unused Subs: Trimble (GK), Hanaphy, Skelly, Ekanem Bray W Drogheda U 0-1 Carlisle Grounds, Bray Goals: 0-1 Skelly 61 Drogheda United: Trimble, Quigley, Costigan, Kovacsevics, Ekanem, Nolan, McCrossan, Flynn, McDonagh, Hanaphy (Corcoran 85), Skelly (Freeman 73). Unused Subs: Quirke (GK), Gannon, M O Brien, Griffin, Sweetman Drogheda U Shamrock Rovers 0-4 Goals: 0-1 Twigg 28, 0-2 Kilduff 49, 0-3 Twigg 56, 0-4 Dennehy 73 Drogheda United: Quirke, Kovacsevics, Gannon, Quigley, Whelan, Lester (Costigan HT), Hand, M O Brien (Flynn 59), C O Brien (McCrossan HT), Freeman, Corcoran. Unused Subs: Trimble (GK), McDonagh, Hanaphy, Skelly. 16

17 Drogheda U Galway U 1-1 Goals: 1-0 Hand 8, 1-1 Seán Kelly 52 Drogheda United: Trimble, Nolan, Whelan, Gannon, Ekanem, Quigley (McNamara 82), McCrossan, M O Brien (Flynn 73), Hand, Freeman (C O Brien 68), Hanaphy. Unused Subs: Quirke (GK), Kovacsevics, McDonagh, Skelly Bray W Drogheda U 2-1 Carlisle Grounds, Bray Goals: 1-0 O Connor 6, 2-0 Massey 9, 2-1 Hanaphy 81 Drogheda United: Trimble, Nolan, Gannon, Ekanem, Whelan (McNally HT), C O'Brien (Flynn 57), Quigley, M O'Brien, Hand (McDonagh HT), Hanaphy, Freeman. Unused Subs: Quirke (GK), Skelly, Kovacsevics, Corcoran. Note: Players in red signal change to lineup from previous game. 17

18 Team facts Dundalk Domestic club competition honours Dundalk FC has won nine Premier Division titles since joining the League of Ireland in They won their first league in the 1932/33 season but had to wait until 1963 for another one, before winning seven more in a 28-year spell from 1967 to 1995, their last top-flight triumph. They have, however, won two First Division titles in the meantime, the first of those coming in 2001 and the latest in November The Lilywhites have also won nine FAI Cups, the latest coming in their last cup final appearance in Also on the club s roll of honour are four League Cups, although they have not won that competition since Dundalk competed in Europe last July for the first time since Ten-year league record 2010: Premier Division sixth 2009: Premier Division fifth 2008: First Division champions, promoted to the Premier Division 2007: First Division third, beaten by Finn Harps in promotion/relegation playoff semifinal 2006: First Division runners-up, defeated Waterford United in promotion/relegation final 2005: First Division sixth 2004: First Division sixth 2003: First Division ninth 2002/03: First Division tenth 2001/02: Premier Division tenth, relegated to the First Division 2010 season Dundalk made a lightening start to 2010, going unbeaten in their opening six games, during which time they showed a steely determination by coming from 2-0 down at Sligo Rovers to draw 2-2. They were at the top of the pile for close to three months but lost their place at the summit in the final game before the midseason break in June. After returning from two weeks off, Dundalk won just one of their subsequent ten league games, before a run of five wins in seven including a 5-1 hammering of eventual champions Shamrock Rovers and a first victory at Richmond Park in 21 years over a five-week period in September and October ensured a sixth-placed finish. In the FAI Cup, Dundalk exited at the first hurdle, falling to Saint Patrick s Athletic. They made it to the semi-finals of the League Cup, losing 1-0 at Monaghan United. In the Leinster Senior Cup, they defeated Ballymun United before losing on penalties at Bray Wanderers. Meanwhile, in their return to Europe after an eight-year absence, the Lilywhites defeated CS Grevenmacher (Luxembourg) 5-4 on aggregate before bowing out to Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) on an 8-0 scoreline. Records Record League Victory 9-0 (H) vs. Jacobs, 6 February (H) vs. Shelbourne, 27 January 1980 Record League Defeat 1-9 (A) vs. Limerick, 17 December

19 Team facts Drogheda United Domestic club competition honours The original Drogheda United was founded in 1919 and, under the name of Drogheda FC, they were elected to the league in In 1975, Drogheda FC amalgamated with Drogheda United to form Drogheda United FC. They won their first league in 1989 when they captured the First Division title, which they went on to win again in 1991, 1999 and Prior to that, they won the League Cup in They had to wait a total of 42 years for their first real piece of silverware as they won the FAI Cup in 2005, beating Cork City in the final, before they added their first ever League of Ireland Premier Division title two years later. They also secured back-to-back Setanta Sports Cups in 2006 and Ten-year league record 2010: Premier Division tenth, relegated to the First Division, reinstated following collapse of Sporting Fingal 2009: Premier Division ninth, defeated Bray Wanderers in promotion/relegation playoff semi-final 2008: Premier Division eighth 2007: Premier Division champions 2006: Premier Division third 2005: Premier Division fourth 2004: Premier Division fourth 2003: Premier Division eighth 2002/03: Premier Division ninth, defeated Cobh Ramblers and Galway United in promotion/relegation playoffs 2001/02: Premier Division champions, promoted to the Premier Division 2010 season Since being crowned Premier Division champions in 2007, Drogheda have endured a difficult period, with eighth, ninth and tenth-placed finishes in the last three seasons. Having narrowly avoided going out of business ahead of the 2009 season as they survived examinership, the Boynesiders finished just four points off the bottom of the pile that year, with a 2-0 relegation playoff semi-final win over Bray Wanderers seeing them to safety. Last season, Drogheda endured another forgettable campaign and this time did finish at the foot of the table, six points adrift of the Seagulls, and faced automatic relegation to the First Division. However, following Sporting Fingal s demise in February, Drogheda were reinstated to the top flight. In cup competition in 2010, the Louth side did not fare any better, losing the opening rounds of both the FAI and League Cup, at home to UCD (1-2) and Bray Wanderers (1-3) respectively. The Students also defeated Drogheda in the Leinster Senior Cup, after they had knocked out Saint Patrick s Athletic at the first hurdle at Richmond Park. Records Record League Victory 7-1 (A) vs. Finn Harps, 24 April (H) vs. Kilkenny City, 16 December 1994 Record League Defeat 1-8 (A) vs. Cork Hibernians, 30 January (H) vs. Shamrock Rovers, 8 January

20 Head-to-head Overall League P W D L F A Pts Dundalk Drogheda United At Dundalk League P W D L F A Pts Dundalk Drogheda United At Drogheda U League P W D L F A Pts Drogheda United Dundalk Note: Points not accumulated due to different points system in previous years Last 10 meetings All competitions Comp. Date Res. Goalscorers League 10/09/10 Drogheda 1-3 Dundalk Meenan 57; Gaynor 15, Tipton 24, Kuduzovic 88 League 05/07/10 Dundalk 2-1 Drogheda McDonnell 22, Mulvenna 42; Flood 8 League 30/04/10 Drogheda 1-3 Dundalk Burns 85 (OG); G Breen 2, 16, Gaynor 67 League 14/03/10 Dundalk 2-2 Drogheda Fenn 63 (pen), Kuduzovic 81; Fitzpatrick 8, Kendrick 22 (pen) League 02/10/09 Drogheda 2-2 Dundalk Chambers 11, 90; Rowe 13, Mansaram 45 League 24/07/09 Dundalk 4-2 Drogheda Rowe 22, Williams 42, 66, Turner 58 (pen); Kenna 31, Chambers 90 League 15/05/09 Drogheda 1-1 Dundalk Kenna 45+1; Turner 33 (pen) League 20/03/09 Dundalk 3-0 Drogheda Turner 16 (pen), 48 (pen), Mansaram 44 LCup 08/05/06 Dundalk 0-1 Drogheda Hoey 20 (OG) Cup 26/08/05 Dundalk 0-2 Drogheda Leech 42, Lynch 52 (pen) Last 10 meetings All comps. P W D L F A Pts Dundalk Drogheda United Last 10 meetings League P W D L F A Pts Dundalk Drogheda United Dundalk ended a ten-year wait for a win at United Park last year, one of a number of hoodoos broken by Ian Foster in his first season in charge. However, overall, the Lilywhites have been dominant in this fixture, losing just 14 of the 74 league meetings, the last back in 1998, 13 games ago. They have won 20 of the 38 clashes at Oriel Park and 19 of the 36 encounters between the Lourdes Stadium and United Park, scoring a total of 137 goals while conceding 72. Since their return to the top flight two years ago, Dundalk have continued that form, with five wins and three draws in the eight games, with a goal aggregate of