After a season of twists and turns, and eight months after Galway United began their league campaign at home to Drogheda United, the Tribesmen rounded off their league campaign with a loss against the same opposition, at Sullivan and Lambert Park on Friday night.

Goals from Brandon Kavanagh and Mark Doyle secured the win for the County Louth outfit, but it wasn’t enough for them to avoid the dreaded promotion/relegation play-off spot. Drogheda will now face UCD in the play-off at Tallght Stadium this weekend.

They needed a sizeable win against Galway, and for Waterford to suffer a big defeat at Shelbourne to have any hope of avoiding the play-off, and despite their win over John Caulfield’s charges, Waterford won at Tolka Park.

Following their draw at Eamonn Deacy Park against St. Patrick’s Athletic the previous week, the Tribesmen had secured Premier Division football for 2027, and as a result, this game was a dead rubber for the westerners.

Drogs started this game on the front foot, and they had two huge opportunities inside the opening six minutes of the contest. Firstly, Brandon Kavanagh saw his effort saved by debutant goalkeeper, Vincent Angelini . Shortly after, Thomas Oluwa saw his header come off the crossbar.

The away side made two changes to their team from the Pat’s game, with the Angelini and Junior Thiam coming into the side.

With just over 10 minutes remaining in the half, Drogs hit the front, when Kavanagh saw his long rage, left footed effort find the back of the net, after Doyle laid the ball into Kavanagh’s path.

Caulfield’s men created very little in the opening 45 minutes, but their best chance in the opening half fell to Stephen Walsh, but he was unfortunate not to find the back of the net with a smart header.

Galway introduced David Hurley at the break, but Kevin Doherty made three changes himself, with the play-off clash in mind.

Just minutes into the second period, the hosts doubled their advantage. The away side failed to deal with a long ball, and Doyle dinked the ball over the debutant goalkeeper in the visitor’s goal.

Backed by a large travelling support, Galway pushed for goals, but in truth, they struggled in this contest and never looked threatening in front of goal.

As it was their final away trip of the year and considering it was Halloween weekend, many United supporters were in fancy dress costumes on Friday, with characters such as Scooby-Do and a John Caulfield look-alike in attendance.

Galway’s best chance of the second half fell to substitute and former Drogheda player, Frantz Pierrot, but his header was saved by Fynn Talley in the hosts goal.

In the final quarter, Drogs legend, Ryan Brennan was introduced for his final ever home appearance for the club, as he plans to retire after the play-off.

Few players are as synonymous with Drogheda as Brennan. A cup final goalscorer in the 2013 defeat to Sligo Rovers, he then went on to lift the prestigious trophy as Drogheda United captain 11 years later.

Once again, Aaron Bolger battled well for the away side, with Gianfranco Facchineri also impressing. Both players have been standout performers for the Terryland outfit, and there is no doubt, Caulfield will be keen to have both players in maroon for 2027, despite Bolger being linked with other sides.

Caulfield was disappointed at how comfortably Drogheda dealt with what his side offered throughout. It was a performance of a side with nothing riding on the outcome of the game.

One positive from the game for the away team, was that U20 player, Connor Whittaker was introduced during the game for his league debut.

Whittaker and fellow substitute, James Morahan, also lined out for the club’s U20’s in their Shield final at Maree Oranmore on Saturday, a game they would be defeated on penalties by Dundalk.

Despite the disappointment of the result, Caulfield and his players will view this season as a largely successful one. Many tipped this new squad to struggle, however they defied the odds, to effectively have safety secured with three games remaining.

In fact, many would view this as the former Cork City player’s greatest achievement as Galway manager so far.

For supporters, it will be interesting to see how many players will the Eamonn Deacy Park outfit retain for 2027, and who will join the group. It is understood a number of players in this current squad will remain on Corrib Side for next season.

Drogheda United: Talley, Agbaje, Burney, Keeley (Bolger 46), Quinn, Cruise (Brennan 69), Bates, O'Brien (Farrell 46), Kavanagh (Godden 60), Oluwa (Ancelin 46), Doyle.

Galway United: Angelini, Barratt (Morahan 73), O'Connor, Facchineri, Keohane (Whittaker 73), Bolger, McCarthy (Lomboto 62), Devitt, Twardek, Thiam (Hurley 46), Walsh (Pierrot 82).

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