Boylan points way with spot-kick save
Emmet Judge, Marsh Celtic, closes in on Tony Walsh, Rock Celtic, during the MDL Premier Division game at Sandy Lane.
Wednesday September 01 2010
GOALKEEPER Shane Boylan saved a late penalty kick as Drogheda Town picked up their first point in the Leinster Senior League's top flight at Arklow last Friday.
Boylan and his two central defenders Stephen Henry and Kevin Bull were excellent on the night, and that solidity should give the team confidence ahead of their first home league game against Dublin Bus on Saturday (7.45pm).
That match will take place at Hunky Dorys Park, as improvement works are still ongoing at Drogheda Town's pitch.
The trip to Arklow almost brought immediate reward as Dean Gaynor was foiled by the home keeper twice inside the first 10 minutes
However, Boylan was soon called into action himself, saving at the feet of Arklow's Gavin Doyle, and Bull and Henry were prominent as the home side struggled to break through a well-organised defence.
It was more of the same after the break, with Arklow – promoted alongside Drogheda as First Division champions back in May – pushing hard for a lead goal.
But when Doyle got a glimpse of the target, he was foiled by ex Leeds and Ireland ace Gary Kelly who made a timely block tackle.
It seemed that Arklow would break the deadlock when they were awarded a 77th-minute penalty – a decision that angered and bemused the Drogheda players and management. However, justice was done when Boylan brilliantly saved Dean Forsyth's spot kick.
Shortly after, Arklow were looking for another penalty when Boylan bravely collected at the feet of an opposing player, who was subsequently booked for diving.
But Drogheda nearly snatched all three points when Davie McDonnell's dipping shot was superbly palmed away by the Arklow netminder.
The Marian Park team had made their Senior Division debut three nights before the trip to Arklow, going down 2-1 away to Phoenix, with ex Leeds and Ireland ace Gary Kelly scoring the Drogheda goal.
And Drogheda were also on the road for their third league game last night, against Newbridge Town at Station Road. DROGHEDA TOWN: Shane Boylan; Keith Arnold, Alan Connor, Kevin Bull, Stephen Henry; Trevor Harding, Gary Kelly, Paul Fitzpatrick, Gavin Brennan; Davie McDonnell, Dean Gaynor. Sub: Ged Leonard for Harding (72min).
