All at Drogheda United would like to wish Longford Town player Dean Byrne all the best in his recovery from a serious injury sustained in their league opener against Shamrock Rovers II.
Both sides come into this fixture having won their first league games of this season 2-0. Drogheda travelled to Cobh, lining up with four new signings in the starting lineup in the form of David Odumosu, Jack Tuite, Derek Prendergast and Richie O’Farrell.
Chris Lyons gave Drogheda the lead after 52 minutes as he found space and on his weak fired a superb strike into the bottom corner past Paul Hunt.
Cobh were reduced to ten men on 74 minutes as Lee Devitt was shown a second yellow before the win was sealed with five to play as Sean Brennan converted from the spot after Lyons had been taken down in the area.
The home side had a chance to get a goal back late on but were denied by a brilliant double save at his near post by David Odumosu.
Goals in either half gave at Bishopsgate last Saturday gave Daire Doyle’s Longford Town side a 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers II.
The opener came in the first half as Manley played the ball to Aodh Dervin who slotted into the far corner past Leon Pohls. The second came seven minutes into the second half with Rob Manley heading home Shane Elworthy’s cross.
Manley was the top scorer in the league last season while playing for Cabinteely, scoring 17 while Lyons scored 15 for Drogheda. Both players have already opened their accounts for 2020 and may be key in this early season meeting between two sides gunning for promotion.
Longford will be hoping to continue their recent good run of results in this fixture, having won four of the last five meetings between the sides, including all three games last season.
The first ended in a 3-0 win at home for Longford with second half goals from Dean Byrne, Aaron Dobbs and Peter Hopkins. Dobbs again scored in the second meeting between the sides, scoring the only goal of the game in first half injury time as Longford won 1-0 at United Park.
The third meeting between the sides was also decided by a goal as Dylan Grimes equalised after Stephen Meaney had given Drogheda the lead before Sam Verdon won it for Longford with just four minutes to play.
