McDonnell gives promoted Drogheda a Major boost
Drogheda Town's Under-9 Premier team, runners-up in the recent Eddie Maher Memorial Tournament hosted by Albion Rovers, pictured in their new jerseys, kindly donated by Skelly Motors.
NEWLY-PROMOTED Drogheda Boys Under16s gave as good as they got as Steven McDonnell's late equaliser ensured a share of the spoils against Crumlin in this Major Division clash at Rathmullen.
The Boys started brightly against the strong breeze and didn't show any signs of nervousness, defending well and tackling fiercely in midfield where McDonnell and Andy Smith were prominent.
As the half wore on Crumlin created a number of chances, goalkeeper Luke Haggins producing one terrific save, while Smith troubled Crumlin's keeper with a long-range shot that had to be scrambled off the line.
Drogheda opened the scoring from a corner kick when Conor Hyland headed in from close range, but two strikes on the stroke of half-time gave Crumlin an inprobable interval lead.
In the second Drogheda Boys stepped up a gear after a tough half-time talk.
Liam Ryan and Gary Keogh had chances which sailed over the crossbar, but Jamie McCormack eventually scored when he beat the offside trap – 2-2.
With both teams looking for a winner the game opened up, with chances at either end.
It was Crumlin who got their noses in front and probably felt that they were going to secure an away win.
However, Drogheda Boys battled gamely and the pressure paid off when McDonnell tapped in the equaliser with six minutes remaining.
A point each was about right and Drogheda's man of the match was Hyland. DROGHEDA BOYS: Luke Haggins, Conor Hyland, Danny Battersby, Conor Pap, Luke Marron, Andy Smith, Steven McDonnell, Jamie McCormack, Niall O'Reilly, Gareth Whyte, Dylan Kirwan, Liam Ryan, Ryan Carberry, Gary Keogh, Kevin Dunne.
