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President Higgins watched Galway lose to struggling Drogheda (file photo), Donall Farmer/INPHO
Crisp Evening

President Higgins was in Drogheda tonight - but things were Hunky Dory for the hosts, not Galway

It was just a second league win in 13 games for Johnny McDonnell’s Drogs.

Drogheda United 2

Galway United 0

GOALS FROM LEE Duffy and Sean Thornton set Drogheda United on their way to a win over in-form Galway at United Park, as the Drogs keep just their second clean sheet of the season in the process.

Points accumulated at home are important to any side trying to stave off relegation fears but with six points from six now at United Park on the board and in the bag, Johnny McDonnell will hope this is a sign of things to come.

They plundered four goals at home to Bray two weeks ago and added two more here without reply. It was no less than they deserved for an impressive performance across the park. Given the visitors recent run of form, not too many will have seen it coming.

In a bright opening period on a gorgeous evening in Louth, Duffy and Sean Brennan both went close inside ten minutes before young defender Robert O’Reilly almost pushed Sean Thornton’s corner over the line from very close range.

President Michael D Higgins was in attendance in Drogheda having been given the freedom of the town earlier in the day. United weren’t in the mood for giving him a cherry on top in the form of three points for his team.

Enda Curran and Padriaic Cunningham were both denied by Micheal Schlingermann shortly before the opener. On 33 minutes, Mark Hughes ball over the top was controlled by Duffy. When defender Cormac Rafferty slipped over, the forward rounded Conor Winn and cooly slotted home.

Rafferty lasted just eight more minutes and was replaced Drogheda dominated. On the stroke of half time, the influential Sean Thornton struck the post with a free kick from wide on the left.

The home town boy wasn’t to be denied though. With just over 20 minutes remaining, Duffy curled a superb effort that was saved – equally as impressively – by Winn but as Galway dithered in clearing, Thornton had time and space to dispatch a low shot in.

A second league win in 13 outings for Drogheda. It’s not much, but this win and their home form may help keep their heads above relegation waters come the season’s end.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Micheal Schlingermann, Mick Daly, Alan Byrne, Robert O’Reilly, Joe Gorman, Sean Brennan (Stephen Maher, 83), Sean Thornton, Mark Hughes, Lee Duffy, Jason Marks (Carl Walshe, 84), Adam Whelan (Daryl Kavanagh, 75).

Substitutes: Dylan Connolly, Lloyd Buckley, Fionn Reilly, Carl Walshe, Tiernan Mulvenna.

GALWAY UNITED: Conor Winn, Colm Horgan, Paul Sinnott, Stephen Walshe, Cormac Rafferty (Marc Ludden, 41), David O’Leary, Ryan Connolly, Padraic Cunningham (Jason Molloy, 70), Gary Shanahan, Enda Curran (Alex Byrne, 78), Jake Keegan.

Substitutes: Conor Gleeson, Killian Cantwell, Sam Oji, Conor Barry.

Man of the Match: Sean Thornton (Drogheda United)

Referee: Ben Connolly

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