Patrick Hoban became Dundalk's all-time record goalscorer as his second-half brace helped Dundalk come from behind to beat Drogheda United in the Louth derby at Weavers Park.
Home supporters fans filtered into Weavers Park pondering whether this would be their last glimpse of striker on-loan Freddie Draper on home soil.
His loan ends at the end of the month and it is expected that he will be recalled by parent club Lincoln City after next week’s trip to Cork City.
There are no such concerns for Dundalk. Their talisman Hoban took to the field looking to hit his 143rd Dundalk goal – a strike that would leave him standing alone as the club’s all-time record goalscorer. He went one further, ending the night on 144. Draper, meanwhile, was sent off by referee Rob Harvey for dissent just before Hoban hit his second of the night, from the penalty spot.
Just five of his previous goals had come against the Lilywhites local rivals and whilst the preference would surely be to perform his record-breaking feat in front of a home crowd, this was – geographically – as close as he could hope to get.
Putting one over on Drogheda always brings a certain satisfaction too, for those of a black-and-white persuasion in the Wee County.
News today that Drogheda United stand on the verge of a takeover by US investment firm Trivela Group LLC is timely; both in the sense that the club need immediate investment to keep up with the teams above and below them but also in that Dundalk are better placed than most to offer a cautionary tale given their own travails under the stewardship of the now departed and not missed Peak6.
Adam Foley’s eighth-minute opener arrived when Draper met Darragh Markey’s corner. His header was weak but Foley bundled it past the Dundalk goalkeeper.
After scoring just three goals in 34 league games, Foley has not notched two in two. His return to goalscoring form will be a fillip to Doherty given Draper’s likely departure.
Daniel Kelly fired a shot just wide as the visitors probed and Emmanuel Adegboyega spoiled Hoban’s party by clocking his acrobatic goalbound effort. It merely delayed the inevitable.
Stephen O’Donnell made a triple substitution as the game reached the hour mark but it hardly forced the issue. 17-year-old goalkeeper Andrew Wogan was underworked throughout, without a save of note to make.
He was soon beaten though and Hoban has his record breaking 143rd goal. He met Robbie McCourt’s header back across goal and planted his own effort beyond the young goalkeeper.
Just three minutes later, Ryan O’Kane was bundled over by Adegboyega. Draper’s complaints earned him a straight red card and Hoban converted from the spot.
The defender almost made amends with a late free kick but Shepperd sprang to his right to deny him.
Drogheda United: Andrew Wogan; Elicha Ahui, Emmanuel Adegboyega, Conor Keeley, Aaron McNally (Warren Davis, 83); Gary Deegan, Ryan Brennan; Adam Foley (Dylan Grimes, 75), Darragh Markey, Dayle Rooney; Freddie Draper.
Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Archie Davies, Andy Boyle, Louis Annesley, Darragh Leahy (Robbie McCourt, 62); Greg Sloggett, Connor Malley; Ryan O’Kane, Daniel Kelly (Rayhaan Tulloch, 61), John Martin (Cameron Elliott, 62); Patrick Hoban (Paul Doyle, 90).
Referee: Robert Harvey
