Drogheda United and Galway United could not be separated in the end as goals in each half from Ryan Brennan and Killian Brouder ensured a share of the spoils in an eagerly contested affair at Sullivan & Lambe Park.
FULL MATCH DETAILS
For around 30 minutes, it looked like Drogheda might hit the summit of the Premier Division with champions Shelbourne dropping points against Shamrock Rovers. Brouder's leveller denied them that.
However, they won’t be too concerned about leading the pack just two weeks into the season. Both they and Galway maintained their respective unbeaten starts and that will do nicely for both.
United were without Josh Thomas, who opened his account with a goal in last week’s victory over Sligo and with Douglas James-Taylor also on the sidelines, a makeshift pairing of Warren Davis and Zishim Bawa were pressed into action in attack.
Galway meanwhile were unchanged from last week’s home win over St Patrick’s Athletic.
While Kevin Doherty had a new look strike pair, it was an old reliable in captain Brennan who got the breakthrough goal.
After good work from Davis and Shane Farrell, Conor Kane stood up a cross to the back post where Brennan arrived unchallenged to head beyond Brendan Clarke. It was the midfielder’s first league goal in 18 months.
Davis was impressing and the 19-year-old Ireland underage international had earlier gone close to scoring himself. He beat a flailing Greg Cunningham to Darragh Markey’s forward pass but having cut into his left foot, his shot was well wide of the upright in the end.
The Tribesmen had their spell in the ascendency too and John Caulfield’s wing-backs almost combined to devastating effect. From Jeannot Esua’s cross, Bobby Burns’ first-time volley just didn’t curl enough to find the inside net.
Patrick Hickey, the league’s top goalscorer after two rounds, twice took aim from range before the break. With his second effort, a well struck shot across goal, he drew a save from Luke Dennison.
The United goalkeeper was searching for a third clean sheet of the season and fourth straight in the league dating back to last season. No Premier Division side has kept as many clean sheets as Drogheda dating back to Dennison’s debut last July.
Despite Brouder’s 75th minute equaliser, that remains the case.
Hickey required all of his 6ft 6" frame to keep Galway in the game just moments after the restart. Conor Keeley’s shot was heading for the net if not for the American’s timely intervention. Seconds earlier, Keeley had seen another yet blocked by Esua.
That moment proved crucial in the outcome of the game. It kept Galway in it and Brouder met Burns’ deep cross at the back post. His controlled finish hit the roof of the net.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, Conor Keeley, James Bolger; Owen Lambe (George Cooper, 87), Shane Farrell, Ryan Brennan (Luke Heeney, 87), Conor Kane; Darragh Markey; Zishim Bawa (Thomas Oluwa, 81), Warren Davis.
Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Greg Cunningham; Jeannot Esua, Patrick Hickey, David Hurley (Vincent Borden, 46), Jimmy Keohane (Cian Byrne, 46), Bobby Burns (Regan Donelon, 81); Stephen Walsh (Edward McCarthy, 71), Moses Dyer (Cillian Tollett, 58).
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
