Blues deny Drogs top spot
Saturday 5th May 2007, 12:58 am
Declan O'Brien's goal wasn't enough for Drogheda in Waterford.
Photo by Tom Carey.
4th May 2007
eircom League of Ireland Premier Division
Waterford United 1
Daryl Kavanagh 90
Drogheda United 1
Declan O'Brien 26
R.S.C.
Waterford United picked up a much needed point as they snatched a late draw with Drogheda United at the RSC tonight.
Declan O'Brien had marked his return after injury by firing Drogheda ahead in the first half. Daryl Kavanagh struck a late leveller to deny the Drogs the three points which would have lifted them ahead of St. Pats at the top.
O'Brien made the perfect return as he volleyed home from Stephen Bradley's drilled cross into the box after 26 minutes.
The Drogs skipper could have added a second just minutes later but failed to connect with Shane Robinson's dangerous cross.
Waterford hadn't been outplayed and caused the visitors a few problems. Brian Shelley could breath a sigh of relief just before half-time when Vinny Sullivan's shot against him just missed the Drogheda goal.
O'Brien went close again after the break, showing what Drogheda have been missing in recent weeks. A deft lob beat goalkeeper Dean Delaney but drifted just off target.
Kavanagh stunned the visitors in the final minute when he rose to head home at the back post after David Breen had flicked on Shane Harte's corner kick.
Drogheda don't now play in the eircom League for over two weeks and may to watch the Saints open up a four point lead before the clubs go head to head on 21st May.
Waterford remain bottom of the Premier Division but this point is their second in consecutive games after six straight losses.
Waterford United : Delaney, Flynn, Hedderman, Breen, Browne, Warren, Kavanagh, McCarthy, Harte, Brosnan, Sullivan (Mulcahy 61).
Drogheda United : Vilmunnen, Webb, Byrne, Shelley, Gray, Keegan, Bradley (Lynch 58), Robinson, Cahill, Zayed (Fitzpatrick 82), O'Brien.