PREVIEW Rudderless Drogs host Blues

PREVIEW Rudderless Drogs host Blues

Drogheda United aim to put an end to a sorry sequence of four straight league defeats, a run which ultimately cost manager Harry McCue his job, when they take on Waterford United at O2 Park this evening (Thursday, 8pm).

It could all have been so different for McCue and his assistant Larry Gaffney. The defeats at bottom club UCD (1-0) and Cork City (4-0) were understandably bitterly disappointing to all concerned, but in the other two reverses, at home to Bohemians and against Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park last week, Drogheda held second half leads before succumbing to late pressure.

Perhaps it was these spurned chances, as much as the defeat to Cork sandwiched in between, that brought an end to McCue’s four-year term as manager. Drogheda have made a habit of getting themselves into winning positions this season without possessing the killer instinct required to take points.

Their latest reverse, the 3-2 defeat to Rovers six days ago, saw them fall below Derry City into the relegation play-off spot on goal difference, and having played a game more than the Candystripes, Drogheda are now favourites to fill the second-from-bottom berth for the second year running.

The Drogs will be without suspended midfielder Darren Beasley for this game, so Barry Molloy, the young Northern Ireland youth international who signed on loan from Derby County last week, could make his debut in midfield alongside Dom Tierney.

Molloy has been playing regularly for the Rams’ reserves this season, but in a central defensive role. However, he may revert to midfield this evening as Drogheda appear well enough served at the centre of defence, where joint-caretaker managers Pat Scully and Aidan Lynch should link up again.

Right back Danny O’Connor may well be ruled out for a second successive game with an ankle problem, so John Flanagan, who scored after being drafted in against Rovers last week, could again deputize.

Elsewhere, striker Declan O’Brien is doubtful with a back injury, so Ciaran Quinn may get a rare chance to impress from the start.

Waterford manager Jimmy McGeough should have a full strength squad to choose from as his side attempts to recover from Monday night’s home defeat to Shelbourne.

The Blues have already won at O2 Park this season, a 3-1 victory in the second week of the season, and will no doubt go into this match as they have gone into virtually every game in their first season back in the top flight – with confidence high.

McGeough faces a decision on which two strikers to pair in attack – Neale Fenn made his full debut on Monday but Daryl Murphy replaced him in the second half, and with Waterford finishing the game strongly, Murphy may have done enough to warrant a recall to the starting line-up.

Waterford have fallen from second place to sixth in recent weeks after taking just one point from a possible nine in recent weeks.

And defeat tonight would see Drogheda move to within four points off the south coast side, a gap eminently bridgeable in the closing months of the season.


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