In the not too distant past, a Drogheda United underage team would take a 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers anytime and celebrate such an achievement. But around the club these days, a modern, professional approach has instilled a new belief in the way things are done – and the feeling after Saturday’s under 17 league opener with Rovers at DIFE was disappointment that the home side didn’t win the game.

It’s the winning mentality that has produced some really talented footballers in recent years and on the basis of this game, there’s a few more rising stars beckoning.One is certainly goalkeeper Andrew Wogan. The ex Ardee Celtic man has matured into a fantastic keeper with a signature kickout – into and with the wind – that smashed the ball well over halfway and set up a series of attacks.

His all round game, bringing off a few fine stops, suggests his talents will catch the eye of Kevin Doherty in the seasons to come.

It was the type of game where everybody played their part in a well drilled shape that stayed in tact to the final whistle.

Ultan McLaughlin, another wonderful attacking talent out of defence, Cian Cleary, skipper Brian Cooney and the highly impressive Emre Topcu had plenty to do throughout, but gave Rovers as good as they got.

Dylan O’Boyle has the game to step up and was instrumental in a lot of Drogheda’s best work. They had fallen behind against the run of play on 22 minutes, but took the game to the hoops after that and 67 minutes in, sub, Keith Tighe and McLaughlin combined down the right before McLaughlin’s cross found O’Boyle and he buried a glorious strike to the bottom corner.

Cameron Feehan and Conall Cronin worked overtime from the first whistle and supported Adam Caldwell and Ben Boyce throughout, but Tadhg Dunne gave a great display up top, closing down and chasing lost causes throughout.

Cameron Feehan was almost the hero early on, denied by a diving Edwin Jakas.Sub Louis Laclie had his effort saved early in the second half, Cian Cleary was also denied before a Rovers effort was blocked bravely by Topcu in the final minute.

Squad: Andrew Wogan, Ultan McLaughlin, Cian Cleary, Brian Cooney, Emre Topcu, Conall Cronin, Dylan O’Boyle, Cameron Feehan, Ben Boyce, Adam Cadwell, Tadhg Dunne, Ryan Graham, Marcus O’Keefe, Patrick O’Connell, Finn Moore, John Woods, Louis Laclie, Sam Reilly, Keith Tighe.

Coaching staff; Head coach: Philip Connolly. Assistants: Nathan Noone Garland, Willy Doyle, Mark Fagan, Richard Bruton.