Dundalk FC left to rue a late concession

For the second successive week, Dundalk FC were left to rue a late concession as victory slipped from their grasp in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

In a Louth derby that ebbed and flowed, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Drogheda United, Conor Keeley’s late intervention cancelling out Danny Mullen’s breakthrough.

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Back at Oriel Park for the first time in 133 days, Dundalk had appeared poised to mark their homecoming with three points. The long absence seemed a distant memory when Mullen broke his league duck just before the hour, yet a familiar frailty at the death resurfaced to deny them.

The hosts carried the greater purpose in the opening half. An early flashpoint arrived when Eoin Kenny, racing through on goal, tumbled under a challenge from Drogheda captain Keeley, though appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Dundalk continued to press: Mullen forced Luke Dennison into a sharp stop after Kenny’s initial effort was blocked, while Daryl Horgan, the home captain, lifted an effort high and wide.

Drogheda’s attacking contribution before the interval was sporadic. Leo Burney, from a tight angle, drew a routine save from Conor Kearns, but it was Dundalk who fashioned the clearer openings.

On 21 minutes, a patient spell of possession culminated in a neat exchange between Kenny and Gbemi Arubi, the latter steering wide from close range when he might have done better.

There was further wastefulness at both ends before the break. Brandon Kavanagh blazed over for the visitors, JR Wilson directed tamely at Dennison, and Horgan dragged wide on the stroke of half-time as Dundalk’s dominance went unrewarded.

Drogheda emerged with greater intent after the restart. Thomas Oluwa found himself clean through, only for Kearns to stand tall and block with authority.

Yet it was Dundalk who struck. On 58 minutes, Horgan’s free-kick sowed confusion in the Drogheda area; Keith Buckley’s effort broke kindly and Mullen applied the decisive touch from close range to put the hosts ahead.

As the contest drifted towards its conclusion, Dundalk seemed set to see it out. Kavanagh’s free-kick was gathered comfortably by Kearns, and Horgan, after eluding Jago Godden, shot wide when a second goal would have sealed the points.

They were made to pay a minute from time. Substitute Kieran Cruise delivered from the left and Keeley, advancing with determination, beat Kearns to the ball to steer home an equaliser that felt harsh on the hosts but preserved a scarcely merited point for Drogheda.

Dundalk FC: Conor Kearns; JR Wilson, Vinnie Leonard, Rob Cornwall, Bobby Burns; Keith Buckley, Aodh Dervin (Ronan Teahan 72); Eoin Kenny (Harry Groome 83), Danny Mullen, Daryl Horgan (Tyreke Wilson 83); Gbemi Arubi (Declan McDaid 72)

Subs not used: Enda Minogue (gk), Conor O’Keeffe, Shane Tracey, Sean Spaight, Aaron Keogh

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Edwin Agbaje (Jason Bucknor 63), Leo Burney, Conor Keeley, Andrew Quinn, Conor Kane (Kieran Cruise 72); Shane Farrell (Jago Godden 63), Ethan O’Brien (Ryan Brennan 72); Brandon Kavanagh; Thomas Oluwa, Mark Doyle (Dare Kareem 63)

Subs not used: Fynn Talley (gk), James Bolger, Bridel Bosakani, Scott Brady

Referee: Rob Hennessy (Limerick)

Attendance: 3,819