Drogheda United face John Caulfied’s Galway United side in Sullivan & Lambe Park on Friday evening

Thursday 27th February 2025, 14:08 pm

The Boynesiders come into this game following a 3-0 win at home to Sligo Rovers last week, backing up a scoreless draw away to St. Patrick’s Athletic on the opening day of the season.

Drogheda hit the front just before half time as Shane Farrell capitalised on a slip from a Sligo player, cutting the ball back to Josh Thomas, who fired past Sargeant.

Darragh Markey doubled the lead on 74 minutes, finishing well after brilliant play by Warren Davis on the right wing to beat his defender.

Substitute Luke Heeney rounded off the victory in added time, reacting first after Sargeant had saved Oluwa’s effort, to fire a low effort into the bottom corner for his first goal since 2020.

Galway had the better of the four games between these sides last season, winning 3-2 in Drogheda in May, and 3-0 in Eamonn Deacy Park a month later. The two other meetings between the sides last season ended scoreless.

Defender James Bolger, who played for Galway’s academy, is pleased at the start to the season, having been part of a back line to keep back-to-back clean sheets.

“We feel defensively we have been solid, and we know how lethal our attack can be. Four points has been a brilliant start, one that we need to build on now,” Bolger said.

“It’s great to be a part of a back line, where you can trust the lads beside you, and are helped massively by the midfield in front and the keeper behind you. It’s great to have the two clean sheets, and hopefully we have more to follow.”

“Galway are notoriously physical and tricky to play against. I’d expect chances will be hard to come by, but I’m hoping for another three points,” Bolger stated.

In team news, forward Douglas James-Taylor and defender Elicha Ahui remain ruled out through injury, while midfielder Paul Doyle and forward Josh Thomas are both doubts.

Referee:Eoghan O’Shea

Assistants:Eoin Harte, Darren Carey

Fourth Official:Robert Dowling

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