Drogheda United 1–2 Dundalk FC
Is there a sweeter way to win a local derby? For the hundreds of Dundalk fans who packed the away section at United Park on Friday night, the answer would surely be a resounding no.
As the game entered its final stages it looked like those supporters would make the short journey home cursing the name of Michael Schlingermann.
The Drogs conceded seven in a game at Oriel Park last May and it is not fanciful to suggest that Johnny McDonnell’s side would have been on the receiving end of another hiding had it not been for the Castlebar born net minder.
Time and time again, Schlingermann rescued the home side as Dundalk applied relentless pressure in the final 20 minutes. It looked like it was going to take something special to beat the 24-year-old but, as it turned out, it was the complete opposite.
Eighty nine minutes had elapsed when John Mountney — a classmate of Schlingermann’s during their schooldays in Mayo — struck a low free kick from 25-yards. The shot looked wayward but it took a wicked deflection off the unwitting Darren Meenan, leaving Schlingermann flat footed, sparking wild celebrations and, in the process, propelling Dundalk six points clear at the top of the table.
It was a fitting end to a pulsating Louth derby that was a great advert for League of Ireland football. The night began in poignant fashion with a minutes applause for Eugene Maher, the father of Drogheda United — and ex-Dundalk midfielder — Stephen Maher who died tragically in a hit and run accident two days earlier. Incredibly, Stephen took his place in the Drogheda United team, a wonderful and courageous gesture by the 27-year-old.
A lively first half saw Dundalk fashion the clear cut chances. Just four minutes had been played when Schlingermann was employed for the first time, gathering a David McMillan header after good work on the right by Darren Meenan and Sean Gannon.
Centre forward Lee Duffy offered Drogheda an outball throughout the half and his battle with Brian Gartland was one of the features of the opening 45 minutes. The former Shelbourne striker had alarm bells ringing in the Lilywhites back four just past the quarter hour mark. Given a long ball to chase, Duffy outmuscled Gartland to take control and advance into the Dundalk penalty area but he resisted the urge to shoot across Gary Rogers and dragged his effort well wide.
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Dundalk penned the home side in for a sustained period after that and they went within a lick of paint of drawing first blood in the 13th minute. Maher unfairly stopped Richie Towell’s progress 25-yards out and Dane Massey’s resulting free-kick deflected off the Drogheda wall and kissed the outside of the post.
Urged on by the raucous travelling support, the champions pushed for the opener and they thought they had it three minutes later. Schlingermann failed to collect a Meenan corner, allowing McMillan to fire towards the net, but Sean Brennan was on hand to spare his goalkeeper’s blushes.
The Boynesiders rode out the storm and looked more comfortable after that but they were opened up in the 36th minute with the best opportunity of the first half. Towell picked out Meenan on the inside right but Schlingermann was quick to spring from his line and block the effort to ensure the first half ended scoreless.
A quiet opening to the second half gave no indication of what was to come as the derby exploded into life. Schlingermann flung himself to the left to deny Ronan Finn, who showed great footwork to create the chance, in the 55th minute but the Drogs goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Meenan stroking a classy left footed drive inside the post just seconds later.
The goal completely opened the game up and Dundalk’s attacking instincts left them exposed just five minutes later. The otherwise excellent Finn blotted his copybook when he squandered possession in the centre circle and with oceans of space to exploit, Sean Brennan sent Duffy clear and he left Rogers for dead with a classy body swerve and finish.
Stephen Kenny’s side reacted like champions and Finn almost atoned for the error after some great interplay with Stephen O’Donnell on the edge of the penalty area but he just couldn’t apply the finishing touch to the move.
It was the Schlingermann show for the next 25 minutes as Dundalk peppered the Drogheda goal. Finn, Andy Boyle and Sean Gannon were all denied by the goalkeeper before the Dundalk bench were up in arms when Massey went down after clearly nudging the ball past Alan Byrne inside the penalty area. Referee Dave McKeon waved play on, raising the hackles of those in white shirts.
Kenny introduced Mountney with six minutes to go; the Bohola man playing as an orthodox centre forward and two minutes later McKeon did blow for a foul when Massey was again taken down in and around the penalty area. Towell’s free-kick was saved, yet again, by Schlingermann.
That looked to be that but there was still time for a last roll of the dice and thanks to Meenan’s deflection, Dundalk’s number came up. The groans in Cork and Tallaght could be heard just as loudly as the roars of jubilation from those in the away section.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Micheal Schlingermann; Michael Daly, Alan Byrne, Robert O’Reilly, Joe Gorman; Stephen Maher, Sean Thornton; Cathal Brady (Tiarnan Mulvenna 76), Sean Brennan (James Daly 84), Jason Marks; Lee Duffy. Subs not used: Evin Farrell (GK), Carl Walshe, Manny Kaguako, Lloyd Buckley, Fionn Reilly.
DUNDALK FC: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Stephen O’Donnell, Richie Towell; Darren Meenan, Ronan Finn (Kurtis Byrne 81), Daryl Horgan (Chris Shields 90); David McMillan (John Mountney 84). Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (GK), Shane Grimes, Paddy Barrett, Jake Kelly.
REFEREE: Dave McKeon.
