Hoban breaks Dundalk's all time goalscoring record as Lilywhites beat Drogheda

SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION 

Drogheda United 1-2 Dundalk

Patrick Hoban smashed the all-time Dundalk FC goalscoring record with a brace as The Lilywhites came from behind to beat Drogheda United 2-1 in the latest Louth Derby.

Drogheda looked as though they would be claiming the bragging rights after Adam Foley put them ahead in the early stages, only for Dundalk, who were below par for around 75 minutes, nicking it late on through Patrick Hoban’s 143rd and 144th goals for the club.

The Galwegian’s two goals, the first of which was a trademark header, took him above the great Joey Donnelly, who scored the last of his 142 for the club way back in 1946.

The second, a penalty with just 10 minutes left on the clock, secured Dundalk’s third SSE Airtricity League win on the bounce, keeping them in the mix for European qualification.

The Dundalk players were wearing black armbands in honour of their former player, Karolis Chvedukas, who tragically passed away at the age of just 32 earlier in the week.

Drogheda had an early chance on five minutes when a Dayle Rooney corner-kick from the right was headed over the crossbar by the towering figure of Emmanuel Adegboyega.

The hosts hit the front just five minutes later, with a Darragh Markey corner from the other side being headed on by Freddie Draper before Foley turned home to make it 1-0.

It took all of half an hour for Dundalk to create their first chance of note, and Daniel Kelly really should have levelled matters after being slipped through on goal by Connor Malley, but with only goalkeeper Andrew Wogan to beat, he fired wide of the target.

Dundalk had another attempt when Ryan O’Kane’s shot stung the hands of Wogan, while at the opposite end, Draper showed good composure before drilling wide from distance.

Then, in stoppage-time at the end of the first half, O’Kane’s corner was flicked goalwards by Hoban, but ex-Dundalk defender Adegboyega was able to block out the attempt.

In the second half, Markey’s corner from the left wasn’t dealt with by Dundalk, eventually resulting in Conor Keeley volleying just over the top from close range.

Draper, the Soccer Writers Player of the Month, saw his shot bounce off both posts after being picked out by a quick Elicha Ahui counter in what was a bizarre let-off for Dundalk.

Dundalk’s equaliser came on 77 minutes when Cameron Elliott sprayed a pass out to fellow substitute Robbie McCourt, whose header across was nipped home by Hoban.

And Hoban won it three minutes later, dispatching a penalty after O’Kane was fouled inside the box by Adegboyega, with Draper red-carded in the aftermath for dissent.

Adegboyega almost made amends with a minute to go when his free-kick was superbly tipped over by Nathan Shepperd as Dundalk held out for what is a crucial three points.

Drogheda United: Andrew Wogan; Elicha Ahui, Emmanuel Adegboyega, Conor Keeley, Aaron McNally (Warren Davis 83); Darragh Markey, Gary Deegan, Ryan Brennan, Dayle Rooney; Adam Foley (Dylan Grimes 75), Freddie Draper

Subs not used: Colin McCabe (gk), Matthew O’Brien, Jarlath Jones, Emre Topcu, Luke Heeney, Darragh Noone, Michael Leddy

Dundalk FC: Nathan Shepperd; Archie Davies, Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley, Darragh Leahy (Robbie McCourt 62); Daniel Kelly (Rayhaan Tulloch 62), Greg Sloggett, Connor Malley, Ryan O’Kane; John Martin (Cameron Elliott 62), Patrick Hoban (Paul Doyle 90)

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Hayden Muller, Keith Ward, Johannes Yli-Kokko, Eoin Kenny

Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin)