2021 Season Preview: Drogheda United

Manager: Tim Clancy.  

Stadium: United Park.

Players in: Darragh Markey (St Patrick's Athletic), Dinny Corcoran (Bohemians), Gary Deegan (Shelbourne), Daniel O'Reilly (Shelbourne), Colin McCabe (Shelbourne), Dane Massey (Dundalk), Ronan Murray (Sligo Rovers).

Players out: Stephen Meaney (Athlone Town), Richie O'Farrell (Bray Wanderers), Adam Wixted (Athlone Town), Derek Prendergast, Luca Gratzer (Cabinteely).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Mark Doyle

Heading into the 2021 season as the PFAI First Division Player of the Year, Mark Doyle is a player that may prove to be one of the most important for Drogheda this season.

Doyle has been with the United Park outfit for a number of years now – so it will be a relief to the Drogs that he helped bring them back to the top-flight last term.

Had Doyle been unable to help bring Drogheda back to the top-flight, it would not be too much of a stretch to suggest that other top-flight sides may be circling for signature.

Either way, the 22-year-old is expected to have a big year for Tim Clancy’s side – especially given the way he has impressed so much in the First Division in recent years.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Conor Kane



Another player who has played an integral role in Drogheda’s recent stint in the First Division is full-back Conor Kane – and he is expected to push on once more this year.

Since joining Drogheda in 2017, Kane has made 95 league appearances for the club – although he has only scored once in that time.

However, the 22-year-old has impressed suitably to earn himself a glowing reputation in the League of Ireland – and his reputation may increase tenfold in the top-flight.

In truth, there are many players to watch in this Drogheda side this term – but Kane is an exciting prospect – and his last experience in the Premier with the club may serve him well as he looks to push on once more this year.  

How they did last season:

First Division



Drogheda United head into the 2021 Premier Division as First Division champions for the fifth time in their history.

Tim Clancy’s side edged out Bray Wanderers for the league title in dramatic fashion – helped in no small way by Galway United’s late winner at the Carlisle Grounds on the penultimate day of the season.

They would then win away to Cabinteely on the final day by two goals to nil to clinch a well-deserved title success for the United Park outfit.

But it was of course not just that which won the league for Drogheda. They did of course win some big games along the way – none more so than the win away to Bray Wanderers towards the title run-in.

They also secured big wins over UCD, Galway and Cabinteely (home) so it was by no means a fluke – and they were deserving winners in truth.  

FAI Cup

The Boynesiders crashed out of the FAI Cup at the first hurdle last season as they lost two-nil at home to top-flight side Derry City.

However, it was not until late on until they were defeated as Ciaron Harkin and Stephen Mallon both netted for the visitors.

What to expect this season:

Tim Clancy’s Drogheda United are expected to be a welcome addition to the top-flight after a three-year absence.

Clancy’s charges have progressed each season under his stewardship and it would be no exaggeration to say that they may push on even more this year.

New signings such as Dane Massey and Gary Deegan will add some much-needed experience to the group ahead of their Premier Division return.

Former St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Darragh Markey will also be a strong addition to Clancy’s side who already have the likes of Jake Hyland and Luke Heeney battling for that position.

The signing of Ronan Murray is also expected to add to an already impressive group of players who should be able to shrug off relegation worries easily enough.

The current crop of Drogs stars such as Mark Doyle, Chris Lyons and Brandon Bermingham will also be looking to impress again this term – with the addition of Dinny Corcoran to their attacking line-up being another boost.

In terms of expectations at United Park this term, securing their safety will be the first of their worries.

But should they ease those concerns early on – there is no reason to suggest why they can not comfortably finish in mid-table come the end of the season.

 

Title Odds: 150/1.

First game: Waterford (home).