Conor Keeley gets his marching orders late on from referee Kevin O’Sullivan
The draw means Drogheda have officially confirmed their place in the Premier Division for next season.
Derry, meanwhile, dropped points for the third time in four league games. Recent wins over UCD, 5-0 and 6-0 respectively, means little when the Candystripes have only taken just two points from the other nine available in recent weeks.
Shamrock Rovers are now four points clear at the top of the league, with a game more to play than their most immediate rivals. Only the most unlikely capitulation now will allow Derry fans to dream of title success.
The result may not come as a surprise in the wider context of clashes between the sides in recent times. Drogheda have taken points off the Ruaidhri Higgins’ team in five of the last seven meetings.
The visitors were utterly dominant against United, in the first half especially. Paul McMullan and Danny Mullen forced Andrew Wogan into copycat saves at each of his posts, with the teenage goalkeeper diving low to repel each effort.
The game offered little between those two opportunities, as they bookended a forgettable first half in truth. The home side’s only glimpse at goal was via Adam Foley, whose shot was easy for Brian Maher.
Higgins’ could call on a no shortage of attacking firepower from the bench, with the returning Patrick McEleney supplementing his options further. A host of changes were made to press the issue but United, with fit again Conor Keeley starring, holding firm.
McMullan and Mullen wasted respective opportunities either side of a fine effort by Kyle Robinson at the other end. Derry’s best chance arrived in the 83rd minute, when substitute Jamie McGonigle beat Keeley and Luke Heeney but shot just wide of the upright.
A dramatic finale ensued, which wasn’t entirely in keeping with the previous 90 minutes, as Referee Kevin O’Sullivan showed Keeley a second yellow for cynically hauling down Cian Kavanagh.
Yet it was Drogheda who almost snatched victory. Derry failed to capitalise from the free kick, or from their obvious height advantage and the Drogs broke.
The superb Darragh Markey raced clear, advancing on Maher’s goal. Cramp set in at the wrong moment however, ending his run prematurely, much to Derry relief. A winning goal looked likely.
Drogheda United: Andrew Wogan; Luke Heeney, Conor Keeley, Evan Weir, Conor Kane; Gary Deegan, Matthew O’Brien; Adam Foley (Darragh Noone, 82), Darragh Markey, Warren Davis (Michael Leddy, 78); Kyle Robinson (Luke Wade Slater, 78).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Cameron Dummigan, Shane McEleney, Cameron McJannet (Sam Todd, 60), Ben Doherty; Adam O’Reilly (Brandon Kavanagh, 77), Will Patching, Sadou Diallo (Patrick McEleney, 77); Paul McMullan, Danny Mullen (Cian Kavanagh, 71), Michael Duffy (Jamie McGonigle, 71).
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan
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