DUNDALK FC 0-0 DROGHEDA UTD

Birthday boy Ross Munro bagged another home clean-sheet but that was one of few positives as Dundalk’s search for a first win of the 2024 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division goes on after a scoreless Louth Derby clash with Drogheda United on Easter Monday.

In front of 2,458 at Oriel Park, Drogheda were the better team during a tame first half, where Dundalk had little threat going forward.

That did change in the second half with Robbie Benson flashing agonisingly wide, before Drogheda’s Luke Heeney was sent off for a cynical foul on Sam Durrant.

That gave Dundalk and the home support renewed energy, with Scott High’s free-kick almost creeping in, but they were unable to make a breakthrough, Archie Davies’ injury-time dismissal giving Stephen O’Donnell a selection headache for Friday’s trip to Derry.

For the game, O’Donnell made four changes to the team that fell to league leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Good Friday.

Club captain John Mountney, Mayowa Animasahun, Ryan O’Kane and Jamie Gullan all came into the side, in place of Louie Annesley, Hayden Muller, Daryl Horgan and Cami Elliott, the latter sidelined through injury. Forward Ciaran McGuckin also missed out on the matchday squad due to a knock.

Drogheda left-back Evan Weir flashed an early shot wide but that was the only noteworthy moment in the opening half-hour, until Jack Keaney screwed a shot wide after the ball broke to him on the edge of the box.

Prior to that, Durrant had attempted to spark Dundalk into life with his teasing cross headed behind, but that was their only threat during a quiet first half.

Before the break, Drogheda had a couple of sights of goal, with Gary Deegan firing over after Munro – celebrating his 24th birthday – punched the ball out, and then Adam Foley shot off target from Warren Davis’ pull-back when well-placed inside the area.

Dundalk survived a scare early in the second half when a mistake in the defence gave Darragh Markey possession and he went down under a challenge from Zak Johnson, but referee Paul McLaughlin was not interested.

Before the hour, Dundalk threatened to come alive. Drogheda goalkeeper Andrew Wogan came out of his box to clear after High had played a pass over the top for Durrant, and the loose ball fell to Benson whose shot from distance flashed wide.

After that, Foley rippled the side-netting for the visitors, the Drogheda supporters momentarily celebrating at the far end of the pitch.

On 69 minutes, Animasahun headed over from a corner. Moments later, Drogheda were reduced to ten men after a terrible tackle from Heeney on Durrant as he ran dangerously towards the area. From the resulting free-kick by High, Wogan did just about enough to keep the ball out.

With 12 minutes remaining, Daryl Horgan entered in place of Koen Oostenbrink. Shortly after, High’s cross went past everyone and almost snuck into the far corner of the net before O’Kane saw a 20-yard shot blocked after cutting into a central position.

Dundalk were desperate for a winner and, backed by a vocal crowd, they piled on the pressure. However, after Davies was sent off for a second bookable offence in the five minutes of added time, the remaining time was played out with no late drama.

DUNDALK FC: Ross Munro, Archie Davies, Zak Johnson, Mayowa Animasahun, John Mountney, Koen Oostenbrink (Daryl Horgan 78), Scott High, Ryan O’Kane, Robbie Benson, Sam Durrant (Robbie Mahon 84), Jamie Gullan. Subs not used: George Shelvey (GK), Louie Annesley, Hayden Muller, Luke Mulligan, Paul Doyle, Seán Keogh, Zak Bradshaw.

DROGHEDA UTD: Andrew Wogan, Luke Heeney, Jack Keaney, Hayden Cann, Evan Weir, Gary Deegan, Oisín Gallagher, Adam Foley (Killian Cailloce 80), Darragh Markey, Warren Davis (Andrew Quinn 72), Zishim Bawa (Frantz Pierrot 54). Subs not used: Jethren Barr (GK), Matthew O’Brien, David Webster, Ryan Brennan, Aaron McNally, Conor Kane.

REFEREE: Paul  McLaughlin.

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