Each reworking of the fundamental question over Dundalk in the new Airtricity League season contains the same phrase: Second Year Syndrome. Having pulled off one of a miraculous reversal in fortune last year the temptation to question the permanency of that change is everywhere, and last night it only got stronger.
2013 was a remarkable one for Dundalk, and their story was one of the most unbelievable in recent years, as they transformed from a debt laden club near extinction in 2012 - while on the field they threatened to congeal in the cracks on the floor of the Premier Division table, such was the permanency of their stay there - to serious challengers for both league and FAI cup in 2013.
Last night the memories of last year were given a shove further back into the past, and worst of all for Stephen Kenny’s men it was Drogheda that set them in motion. A 4-1 win for Drogs at United Park will have done a lot to restore a feeling of balance to the Louth divide – which has teetered lopsidedly in recent years - and given Robbie Horgan the perfect start to his time as manager.
Eric Foley opened the scoring with a free kick on 38 minutes, before Gavin Brennan added a second just 3 minutes into the second half.
It was fitting that a derby should be settled by a veteran of the fixture and Declan O’Brien did just that with two goals in the space of 15 second half minutes.
O’Brien’s first came on 53 minutes when he finished the rebound from a saved Daire Doyle shot.
Dundalk pulled one back when Pat Hoban headed home a Darren Meenan cross on 65 minutes but O’Brien’s second put the home team’s win beyond doubt.
A perfectly struck Gavin Brennan free kick flew into the Dundalk box where O’Brien rose to nod home the fifth goal of the night.
Elsewhere, champions St. Pat’s started with a well earned point, drawing 1-1 with Cork City in front of over 5,000 fans at Turner’s Cross.
Garry Buckley put the home side in front on 41 minutes and it took a Christy Fagan strike to draw the champions level. Despite the dismissal of John Dunleavy on 66 minutes the Dublin side could not find the finishing touch to win the game.
Bohemians are tipped to flirt with a relegation battle this term but those fears might have been somewhat allayed last night with a 3-0 win over fellow relegation candidates UCD at the Belfield Bowl.
It was a trio of ex-Shelbourne men on the score sheet for Bohs, with Paddy Kavanagh’s first half goal added to in the second 45 by Dinny Corcoran and Jason Byrne.
In the other game of the night Limerick and Bray got their seasons off to a somewhat ill tempered start, with two red cards the only talking points to emerge from Thomond Park. Limerick’s Shane Duggan and Bray’s David Cassidy were both sent off in the second half as the sides played out a 0-0 draw.
