Dundalk's season comes to a close with draw against Boynesiders

Relegated Dundalk FC have ended their 16-season stay in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a drab 0-0 draw against Drogheda United in the Louth derby.

With an FAI Cup final to look forward to next week, Drogheda had the game’s first chance when Luke Heeney’s cross was headed off target by defender James Bolger.

Just before that, Aaron Harper-Bailey blocked out a Robbie Mahon attempt. Later, the Dundalk man assisted Sean Keogh, but his swerved attempt was wide of the mark.

A corner taken by Mahon was quick to Daryl Horgan, whose subsequent cross was headed off target by Aodh Dervin after he had gotten the better of Frantz Pierrot.

Already-relegated Dundalk looked to be enjoying their Premier Division swansong, as Jad Hakiki’s shot from distance went straight down the throat of Luke Dennison.

Drogheda goalkeeper Dennison had to be alert once again just past the half-hour mark when keeping out Keogh’s free-kick after the impressive Hakiki had drawn a foul.

Perhaps the best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell the way of Drogheda, with Shane Farrell’s low ball from the right being turned inches wide by Douglas James-Taylor.

Five minutes into the second period, Horgan tried his luck from range, but his curling shot was kept out by Andrew Wogan, who had replaced Dennison at the half-time break.

Dundalk captain John Mountney thereafter had a speculative shot that never looked like troubling the stand-in Drogheda netminder in what was turning into a rather drab affair.

The closing stages saw the introduction of 15-year-old TJ Molloy from the subs’ bench – just after another academy product, Eoin Kenny, had forced Wogan into a save after being played through by an incisive pass from yet another youth player in Luke Mulligan.

After that, Horgan’s corner was met by Dara Keane, but tipped over the crossbar by Wogan – before Kenny rattled the woodwork and Mulligan had two errant attempts.

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison (Andrew Wogan HT); Andrew Quinn, James Bolger, Aaron Harper-Bailey; Elicha Ahui, Shane Farrell, Ryan Brennan (Gary Deegan 66), Luke Heeney; Darragh Markey (Warren Davis 66); Douglas James-Taylor (Conor Kane 77), Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley HT)

Subs not used: Jack Keaney, Matthew O’Brien, Aaron McNally, Bridel Bosakani

Dundalk FC: Ross Munro; John Mountney, Mayowa Animasahun, Hayden Cann, Sean Keogh; Aodh Dervin (Dara Keane 73), Koen Oostenbrink (TJ Molloy 83); Daryl Horgan, Jad Hakiki (Luke Mulligan 73), Robbie Mahon (Ryan O’Kane 66); Eoin Kenny

Subs not used: Felix Goddard (gk), Andy Boyle, Scott McGill, Scott McGill, Sean Spaight

Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo)

Attendance: 2,030