Football Reporter - LOI, FAI // Author -
@EmeraldExiles
: How the Irish Made Their Mark on World Football //
@SoccerWritersIr
Executive Committee // NUJ member
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Zoom into the below photo and you will see a player stand detached from his teammates during the Last Post rendition for Remembrance Day ahead of Oxford vs Wycombe yesterday.
It’s Killian Phillips, ex-Drogheda United.
Some lines from tonight's fans forum at the TLT in Drogheda, ahead of Monday's member vote.
/ The club confirmed the imminent investment into Drogheda United will likely be in excess of €1 million - with clearing the club's existing debt first on the agenda.
BREAKING // Members of Drogheda United Members Club Limited have voted to accept an offer from US sports investment firm Trivela Group to acquire 100% of the club.
The vote was passed by 90 votes to one vote tonight at an Extraordinary General Meeting held at Weavers Park.
Very surreal indeed.
Ainscough, sitting in the main stand, called a Drogheda supporter a ‘baldy bastard’ or a ‘baldy bollocks.’ Couldn’t quite get a consensus on that one.
Neither particularly becoming of a club owner.
Bit of a surreal moment here in Drogheda as Dundalk owner Brian Ainscough appeared to be rowing with a couple of home supporters for a minute.
Drogheda steward had to tell Ainscough to calm down, who held his hand up to apologize.
Never seen anything like that at a game.
Lincoln City Director of Football Jez George and CEO Liam Scully are here at Weavers Park for Jack Moylan's final Shelbourne game ahead of his move to the League One club, sitting beside incoming Drogheda United co-chairman Ben Boycott.
In the last 4.5 years, Drogheda United have lost 20 players, and one manager, to full time football either in Ireland or the UK. It's a big talent drain.
19 of those players were first team regulars - only Fiachra Pagel was not. But yet, arguably, they've improved every year.
I'm here at Weavers Park in Drogheda ahead of the members vote on the proposed takeover of the club by Trivela Group. The deal is expected to pass without much opposition. It's a historic night for the club. Updates here. Reports later.
Due to injury, Chris Lyons has announced his retirement from football at the age of 31.
Lyons played for seven clubs in his career but enjoyed most success in his five seasons at Drogheda United between 2018 and 2022, scoring 40 goals and winning the 2020 First Division title.
An Irish football whos who in this photo, including Dundalk FC boss Stephen O’Donnell, with Como boss Cesc Fabregas.
O’Donnell was a teammate of the Spaniard with Arsenal from 2003-2005.
Trip to north Italy was part of the UEFA Pro License course.
📸
@peamountutd
In the last nine months, seven Drogheda United first team players have been called up for their country.
🇿🇦 Jethren Barr* (Senior)
🇮🇪 James Byrne* (U19)
🇮🇪 Andrew Wogan (U19/U21)
🇮🇪 Warren Davis (U19)
🇮🇪 Evan Weir (U21)
🇭🇹 Frantz Pierrot (Senior)
🇮🇪 Killian Cailloce (U19)
NEWS // Big development. Drogheda United have bought Weavers Park back from the FAI.
Capital injected from owners Trivela Group has secured ownership of the ground.
A sixth clean sheet in 20 games for Andrew Wogan this evening, as Drogheda drew 0-0 at Sligo.
This is the best save of his young career, and he’s made a few decent ones.
🎙️
@jessicafarry
Visited Walsall FC last week, hoping to get a sense of Drogheda United's new owners.
'What both Drogheda and Walsall fans will not want is for Trivela’s long term strategy to allow the can of accountability to be kicked down the road indefinitely.'
Understand Dundalk and Drogheda United have made a request to the Leinster FA that their Leinster Senior Cup group clash, provisionally scheduled for Monday January 29 at Oriel Park, can double up as the Jim Malone Cup.
Good night at
@thetltdrogheda
for the premiere of Underdogs, the Drogheda United documentary made by fan Conor McGuinness. A brilliant portrait of a club at the heart of its community and the people behind it.
I’m told it will stream online somewhere at some stage.
The United Park pitch is among the very best in the country. Damien Duff was lauding it three weeks ago. Speaking to Jermaine Sandvliet last month, he was raving about how good it was 20 years ago.
All down to the great Matt Kavanagh, a gent.
📸 Larry McQuillan
As per
@McDonnellDan
yesterday, Drogheda United have completed the capture of Jack Keaney. The club will announce the ex-UCD and Sligo Rovers man in the next 48 hours or so. Good get for the Drogs.
Dayle Rooney has been named the Drogheda United Player of the Year.
Andrew Wogan has won Young Player of the Year and Conor Keeley has won Supporters’ Player of the Year.
Club chair Joanna Byrne, former chair Conor Hoey, Trivela Managing Director Ben Boycott, Trivela VP Wesley Hill, manager Kevin Doherty and Walsall CEO Stefan Gamble have spoken to the assembled approx 180 supporters here tonight.
Varied questions from the floor. More later.
NEWS // Drogheda United have completed the due diligence process with the Trivela Group, who hope to complete a takeover of the club.
A detailed proposal is expected to be put to club members for vote at an EGM in approximately four-six weeks, I understand.
Emmanuel Adegboyega scoring three goals in his first five senior appearances (three starts,two sub) in English football is wild.
Dream stuff. He started last season on the bench with Drogheda United, remember.
NEW // Former Drogheda United favourite Emmanuel Adegboyega has won the EFL Young Player of the Month award for February.
Not the League Two award, he was voted the best young player across all three divisions.
The four games he played in February were his first at that level.
Big day for former Drogheda United loanee Sam Long today as his Falkirk side secured the Scottish League One title with a 7-1 hammering away to Montrose.
They win the league with five games still to play Goalkeeper Long has played 19 of their 31 games, keeping nine clean sheets.
My piece in today's Irish Daily Star, where Ben Boycott and Wes Hill tell me:
/ Kevin Doherty will make final decisions on all recruitment.
/ Fruitful relationships with clubs such as Lincoln City will be 'strengthened' by the takeover.
/ Drogs will not 'throw money' at Europe.
Understand Doherty is currently working out his notice with An Post and his full-time contract begins at the beginning of December.
No more 5.30am starts for him, you'd imagine. Body clock will need adjusting.
Big news from Drogheda this afternoon. Kevin Doherty has signed a two-year contract extension with Drogheda United.
The manager will transition towards a full-time role at the club, having worked part-time for the last two seasons.
The League of Ireland have introduced a new sudden death round for clubs who finish level on points at the end of the season. Winner qualifies for Europe.
Kevin Doherty made no secret earlier this season, upon signing Conor Kane on loan until the end of the campaign, that he intended to discuss the left back’s future beyond 2023.
He’s left Shelbourne upon the end of his contract and I’d surprised if he wasn’t back at Drogheda.
The delayed Drogheda United AGM took place on Thursday evening.
The club are poised to put the ownership proposal from US investment firm Trivela Group to member vote within the next seven days, as reported by
@drogindo
today.
NEWS // Drogheda United have announced that Darragh Markey has penned a new deal with the club.
Unquestionably, their most pivotal signing for 2024. There was no shortage of interest in Markey, including from the United States, so a massive coup for Kevin Doherty to retain him.
Had a one-on-two sitdown interview with Drogheda United's new owners Benjamin Boycott and Wesley Hill ahead of the Shelbourne match at Weavers Park last Friday.
900-word interview in Friday's Irish Daily Star. There'll be a few additional lines from it I'll highlight here too.
There's something on the line tonight at Weavers Park. A trophy has been commissioned and Drogheda United and Walsall will battle it out for the inaugural Trivela Cup.
It's expected Drogheda will travel to Walsall next year a return fixture and so on annually.
United Park is becoming quite the celebrity hotspot these days.
Both Damien Duff and Line of Duty actor Martin Compston were at the Drogheda vs Bohemians match tonight.
NEWS // Big news, too. Drogheda United’s Andrew Wogan earns a first Republic of Ireland Under 21 call up for the European Championship qualifier against San Marino next week.
Drogheda United goalkeeper Andrew Wogan put in a man-of-the-match performance for Ireland Under 19s today, but the 17-year-old Ardee teen couldn't prevent Tom Mohan's side going down 0-1 to Belgium.
He made a series of fine saves throughout but Ireland went down in Rrogozhinë.
NEW // Kevin Doherty confirmed to me this afternoon that Drogheda United are not yet finished their off-season transfer business.
The club are seeking to strengthen in one position and are actively working on that. The club have already signed new 11 first team squad players.
QUOTE // Kevin Doherty spoke briefly about the interest in him from Cork City this summer, last night.
He said that despite his ambitions to work full-time in football, Trivela's plans for Drogheda United convinced him staying put was the right decision.
In Blanchardstown for Drogheda United vs Bray Wanderers.
Ryan Maher starts in goal for Drogs, as does Zishim Bawa in the attack.
Maher
Cann Keaney Weir
McNally Deegan Gallagher Kane
Markey Bawa
Pierrot
🧵 A thread…
Going to focus on a couple of lines from Brian Ainscough’s Dundalk FC unveiling on Friday that haven’t been touched on in much detail elsewhere.
Ardee’s Kian Leavy returns to Jim Crawford’s Ireland Under 21 squad for the upcoming Norway and Italy qualifiers.
Ex-Drogheda United duo Sean Roughan and Killian Phillips also return.
Conor Keeley’s younger brother Josh is one of three goalkeepers in the panel.
Spent the afternoon representing
@SoccerWritersIr
at the FAI Media Officer workshop. Great to listen to media offficers from across the League of Ireland and discuss issues and solutions regarding press coverage.
Thanks to
@LeagueofIreland
@markscanlon85
for having us.
NEWS // Drogheda United goalkeeper Andrew Wogan is set to be named in the Republic of Ireland U19 squad for their upcoming friendly games vs Bosnia.
Coach Tom Mohan was been to Weavers Park on several occasions to run the rule over the him since he broke into the team in June.
Kevin Doherty has moved quickly to build a new central defensive partnership for 2024.
Andrew Quinn has re-joined the club, where he will strike up a partnership with Jack Keaney at the heart of the defence.
Drogs had hoped they might keep Conor Keeley - but won't happen now.
NEWS // Drogheda United played out a scoreless draw with Longford Town in a pre-season friendly at DIFE tonight.
Three triallists played for Drogheda - ex-Dundalk youngster Oisin Coleman, LOI veteran Dave Webster and winger Steve Zishim Bawa.
Well worth supporting this cause tonight. They are being very brave, as it will be very cold.
Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge is a worthy cause indeed. Fair play to the lads. Link on their timeline.
Tonight is the night we brave the cold weather and sleep out in United Park from 7.45pm to 7.45am all in aid of Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge Centre. Donations can still be made in the link below or in our bio.
9.31pm Friday: Bridel Bosakani scores his hat-trick goal to put Drogheda 9-0 up vs Wilton.
11.44am Saturday: Bridel Bosakani scores his ninth goal of the season for Drogheda’s Under 20s to put them 2-0 up vs UCD.
No rest for the wicked.
Bridel Bosakani starts for Drogheda United’s Under 20s against UCD this morning (KO 11am) a little over 12 hours after scoring a hat-trick for the first team in the FAI Cup.
Aaron McNally also making his first appearance since returning from injury.
My report from Weavers Park on a historic night for Drogheda United football club. Trivela Group are their new owners.
It was short, but very, very sweet.
Drogheda United members have voted to accept an offer from American sports investment fund Trivela Group to take full control of the club, reports
@ByBarryLandy
#RTEsoccer
NEWS // Drogheda United’s Kevin Doherty has been nominated for the PFAI Premier Division Manager of the Year.
Stephen Bradley and Jon Daly are the other nominees.
Understand there'll be news from Drogheda United regarding their newest arrival this afternoon. First of a few announcements re: new signings and re-signings in the pipeline.
The League of Ireland 2024 fixtures are released in 48 hours.
Every year I get the fear that this time the fixture schedulers will screw me over and put both Louth clubs at home on the same nights.
Pray for this Louth beat reporter 🙏
#alternatehomematchdays
An indication of the impact of the Trivela Group's Drogheda United takeover proposal, Joanna Byrne summed up last night with a 'then and now''.
"I was very sceptical about investment at the beginning."
"It's do or die - we are about to see the best version of Drogheda United."
Some lines from tonight's fans forum at the TLT in Drogheda, ahead of Monday's member vote.
/ The club confirmed the imminent investment into Drogheda United will likely be in excess of €1 million - with clearing the club's existing debt first on the agenda.
NEWS // Former Dundalk academy defender Gabriel Adebambo is back training with the club. He is a free agent following the end of his spell at Stoke City, who he joined from the Lilywhites in 2020.
Understand Adebambo has been training with the club for three weeks now.
After a hectic few weeks, at the end of a long season, and an incredibly busy day running around yesterday, I’m proud to say
@SoccerWritersIr
delivered a memorable annual awards banquet in Dublin.
Grateful to work alongside such a hardworking and talented committee.
Goals number 27 and 28 for Drogheda United tonight.
The team at the foot of the table have scored the exact same number as the team at the top, Shels, albeit having played a game more.
NEWS // In a statement issued today, Drogheda United Executive Director Wesley Hill has described the club’s 2024 season as ‘unusual and disappointing.’
He says the club undertook a ‘full review of on-pitch performance’ in light of their recent struggles.
Big news from Drogheda this afternoon. Kevin Doherty has signed a two-year contract extension with Drogheda United.
The manager will transition towards a full-time role at the club, having worked part-time for the last two seasons.
One notable point from tonight's team sheets. Andrew Wogan is wearing the number one shirt for the first time in his senior Drogheda United career.
He wore 35 as recently as the Bohemians LSC game 11 days ago. Ryan Maher, who had been assigned the number one last season, is 12.
SPOTTED // Former Drogheda United loanee Sean Roughan, of Lincoln City, is here at Weavers Park to visit his old team.
Currently deep in conversation with Kevin Doherty as the teams warm up.
#DROGAL
|
@loveisthedrog
🧵 Some extra lines from my chat with Ben Boycott/Wes Hill:
Asked what markets the club will be shopping in.
“The local market is by rule the significant lions share of the roster. [But] will we be looking further afield in terms of bringing in players on a work visa? Yeah.”
Busy day for Drogs. Another move that's been in the works for a few weeks, they've signed Steve Zashim Bawa, the winger who scored seven for Ettan in the Swedish third tier last season.
A left footer who can play on ether flank, Zashim Bawa has duel Irish-Nigerian citizenship.
Everyone in Walsall is obsessed with Freddie Draper. Kick off approaching.
He starts up front, wearing number 15.
Across Drogheda and Walsall, he’s scored 15 goals in his last 22 league games.
A week on from his Drogheda United farewell, the first images of Evan Weir as a Walsall player in earnest have arrived.
Things haven’t gone Drogs way this season but they’re blessed they have Conor Kane at least.
Great to be asked to contribute to this new documentary showcasing the Wee County's big rivalry - the
#LouthDerby
.
The Premier Division is much better for having four of these a season.
Adam Foley calling the Oriel Park pitch worse than the car park at Weavers Park just days before the
#LouthDerby
.
That is the definition of shots fired.
Have you seen the car park in Drogheda?!
Worst pitch in the League of Ireland? 😬
"Probably us or Dundalk!"
"Dundalk! It's probably worse than the car park we have at Drogheda."
Football on Off The Ball, with
@williamhillire
.
Superb afternoon at the launch of ‘From Small Acorns’, an exhibition on womens football in Ireland at
@dundalkmuseum
.
Officially launched by FAI Hall of Fame inductee Paula Gorham and attended by so many players who featured for various Irish selection XIs in the 1970s.
NEWS // Hubert Murphy to leave his role of General Manager at Drogheda United.
Executive Director Wesley Hill will relocate to Ireland "for an extended period" in the summer to assume some of Murphy's responsibilities while Drogheda 'refine the club’s operational framework'.
NEWS // Andrew Wogan isn't the only Drogheda United player with international focus next week.
Frantz Pierrot has been named in the Haiti senior squad for the very first time, for a friendly against French Guinea next Saturday (March 23).
The match will take place in Cayenne.
Almost forget to post! 🎉📕⚽️
Two years ago today,
#EmeraldExilesBook
was published. Thanks to all who bought it, read it, wrote nice things about it, left positive reviews or generally sent good vibes my way.
@NewIslandBooks
I'll be at Weavers Park tonight for the tie of the round in the FAI Cup - Drogheda United vs Bohemians.
Filing reports for the Irish Examiner, Irish Sun, The42 and RTE. Read them online or in print, whatever you prefer.
No rest for the wicked.
Bridel Bosakani starts for Drogheda United’s Under 20s against UCD this morning (KO 11am) a little over 12 hours after scoring a hat-trick for the first team in the FAI Cup.
Aaron McNally also making his first appearance since returning from injury.
As of early last week, Drogheda had six players committed for 2023. No announcements yet but expect a flurry soon.
By way of comparison, by Dec 3 last season, Drogs had six players - Weir, Rooney, Topcu, Foley, Brennan, Heeney - announced for 2023.
This year, just two so far.
Grossly unjust red card for Jack Keaney further sullies a bad night for Drogs in Tallaght. Positives few and far between from that. Jethren Barr made some eye-catching saves, I suppose.
#SHADRO
Fear not, I haven’t come three weeks early. There is a game on tonight.
Lots of speculation as to what kind of investment Trivela Group will be making in Drogheda. I’m here in Walsall to see how their first 18 months here have gone.
A minute's silence will be held ahead of tonight's
#LouthDerby
at Oriel Park to mark the tragic passing of Termonfeckin Celtic teenager Zara Murphy who died on Thursday evening.
Was at Drogheda United’s supporter information night tonight at Weavers Park. A few interesting lines from it.
I’ll have more from it right here - on X - and on
@loveisthedrog
tomorrow.
Subscribe now via the link in bio.
Filed this from the meeting at Weavers Park tonight - a 90 to 1 vote in favour of a takeover.
That is a comprehensive show of faith in Trivela Group. Will it reap rewards in the short, medium and long term?
Drogs fans have decided there’s only one way to find out.
Forest Green Rovers have confirmed that goalkeeping coach Dan Connor, a league and cup winner with Drogheda United, will take interim charge of the club in the wake of Troy Deeney’s sacking today.
In the last eight seasons, Drogheda United have been knocked out of the FAI Cup by:
2015: Derry City (R3)
2016: Derry City (R2)
2017: Dundalk (QF)
2018: Waterford (R2)
2019: Shamrock Rovers (R2)
2020: Derry City (R2)
2021: Derry City (R1)
2022: Shamrock Rovers (R2)
A large quantity of handheld flags which were placed on seats ahead of the FAI Cup Final have been removed by fire safety officers, citing safety concerns.
There's currently a heap of them lying in a skip close to the pitch.
At the Drogheda United fans forum tonight. The first person to ask a question mistakenly called Benjamin Boycott ‘Bill’.
I can confirm Bill ‘Peak6’ Hulsizer is not involved in this takeover.
Signings incoming.
Drogheda United have been working on a couple of loan deals with Lincoln City since the end of last season.
A very fruitful partnership which will now enter a third season of the Drogs taking two Imps players on loan.
Boycott said player movement with clubs such as Lincoln are still a "viable option."
“There’s nothing to say that it’s an exclusive relationship [w/ Walsall]. I hope the option with other EFL clubs would be strengthened. Walsall has a good relationship with other EFL clubs.”
Was in Portadown today to chat to Drogheda's new South African international goalkeeper Jethren Barr.
Our wide ranging chat covered his LOI trials, future international ambitions, competing with Andrew Wogan, playing for Paul Doolin, faith and more.
Soon on Love Is The Drog...
Very excited to launch a new personal venture for the 2024 season; a new
@SubstackInc
focusing on Drogheda United - Love Is The Drog.
I'll be publishing feature writing, longreads, analysis pieces and exclusive interviews on the Drogs' past and present.
All over at the Bescot. Walsall undone by a 94th minute leveller. Interesting night.
Positive feedback on Trivela’s 18-months of ownership. But the sentiment from many supporters is ‘time will tell.’
Great to catch up with Ross Tierney too, such a likeable young lad.
Re: member vote on Drogheda United takeover. The ‘within seven days’ estimate for a vote to take place first reported last week was overly optimistic.
FAI approval had to be sought and members must be notified ahead of vote. Told a vote could take place within a fortnight.
NEW // Drogheda United have been drawn to face Dundalk in the second round of the FAI Cup.
A
#LouthDerby
!
The match will be played at United Park on the weekend of July 19-21, with the exact date and time to be confirmed.
Bohemians playing their U19 team at Weavers Park for their Leinster Senior Cup group match against Drogheda.
The hosts have gone strong - pretty much as strong as they could have gone. Competitive debuts for Pierrot, Cann, Keaney and Gallagher.
Experimenting with a back three.