Drogheda v Waterford Preview

It’s Friday night lights, camera, action for the Blues tonight as the endless rain has forced Virgin Media to shuttle quickly to Plan C after both Dublin games were postponed due to waterlogging. On the back of last week’s impressive second half comeback, Waterford have the chance to go top of the early league table with a win in Drogheda whether through a dominant display or a late late show.

The Blues have found it tough playing in Sullivan & Lambe Park since that exceptional 4-1 win immediately after returning to the Premier Division two years ago. Waterford haven’t scored since in a pair of 2-0 defeats and a drab 0-0 draw and have rarely even looked like scoring in those games. Kevin Doherty’s side are never afraid to play the percentages, get the ball into opposition territory quickly, and wait patiently for openings to fall their way. They are one of the hardest-working teams in the division and that has seen them outperform expectations by winning the cup in 2024 and finishing just three points outside the European places last year.

 

Cian Barrett was hampered by an early card against Shelbourne (Ken Sutton)

Over the winter, Drogheda lost Darragh Markey and Josh Thomas to Derry City and Owen Lambe to an ACL injury. As has been their custom in recent years, United looked across the Atlantic for recruits. Leo Burney joined from Seattle Sounders and Ethan O’Brien came from Nashville while old favourite Mark Doyle returned from nearby Knoxville. Doherty’s key signing though has been the capture of Brandon Kavanagh from St Pat’s. Blues fans will remember his sublime winning goal from a free kick at the RSC last March which reinforced his reputation as arguably the best set-piece specialist in the country. 

When Waterford have had success against tonight’s opponents, our potent strike-force has been to the fore with Pádraig Amond scoring five goals in the eight games against Drogheda and Thomas Lonergan netting the opening goal in both home matches last year. The Blues were badly-exposed against Shelbourne last week until changes were made early in the second half so it will be interesting to see if Jon Daly sticks with such an attacking line-up or is a little more cautious on the road. No solution has been found for the right back spot yet so Luke Heeney will likely have to remain there against his former club. Cian Barrett tried to do a lot of the right things in midfield last week, but was hampered by a very early yellow card and went close to a second. Sam Glenfield lifted the team when he entered the fray so he could start tonight if he is fully-fit after missing most of preseason. 

Drogheda had a dream start with last week’s away win in Galway and the manner of the victory was textbook Doherty. The hosts had much the better chances, including a missed penalty and a header off the crossbar, but Drogheda absorbed the pressure and struck in injury time against the odds. A long throw caused chaos in John Caulfield’s defence and New Zealander Jago Godden (on loan from fellow Trivela Group club Walsall) smashed home from a clever touch by Ryan Brennan. Three precious points from a game where the visitors were very content just not to be beaten.

 

Conan Noonan is key in an even more potent attack this year (Ken Sutton)

Much of Drogheda’s success in recent seasons has been driven by the midfield three. Shane Farrell, blessed with superb technique, has been joined by the American, O’Brien, to do some of the legwork instead of the 34-year-old Brennan, and the aforementioned Kavanagh has replaced Markey in the ‘ten’ role. Conor Keeley is the rock at the back with Burney and Andrew Quinn making for a robust trio in front of reliable goalkeeper Luke Dennison. Edwin Agbaje has come from Sligo to play right back in Lambe’s absence while Conor Kane has always been a very good left back. Doyle, who had a quiet game in Galway, was joined by ex-Blue Thomas Oluwa, whose pace may expose a potential weakness in the Waterford defence. Alternative options in attack include Ireland Under-21 international Warren Davis and the powerful Dare Kareem.

The smallest capacity in the Premier Division means the much-renamed United Park is generally sold out and makes for a great atmosphere with most supporters only feet from the sidelines. With fans of all four Dublin clubs staying home tonight, there should be a relatively large television audience too so it’s an opportunity for the Blues to shine. The defence looks tighter, the attack looks even more potent. The opportunity is there to lay down a marker. 

 

Main image: Battling Drogheda at the RSC (Noel Browne)