- Andrew Dempsey
- Sat, Feb 11 2023
Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty knows the task facing his side in the Premier Division this season – and he is up for the fight.
The Drogs comfortably stayed up last season despite being one of the three part-time outfits in the top-flight.
But with themselves and UCD the only part-time clubs remaining in the Premier Division this year after Finn Harps relegation, they face a tall order in their quest for survival this year.
Added to that, they have lost a number of key men from last year, with Dean Williams, Andrew Quinn, Keith Cowan, Chris Lyons and Dane Massey all departing.
“We have lost a bit of spine there with Keith Cowan, Dane Massey and Chris Lyons so we have lost a fair few,” Doherty told extratime.com.
“But that is the nature of it. We can’t offer lads full-time football and that is why Andrew Quinn moved to Shelbourne and Dean Williams went to Bohs.
“It is what it is and we just have to rebuild again. Not to the same extent as last year but to a certain level.”
And the task facing a new-look Drogheda this year is not lost on their chief.
“It will be more difficult,” he admits. “Finn Harps were the only other part-time team and you saw what happened.
“It was no coincidence that we were 8th, UCD 9th and Harps 10th last year. It’s a big advantage being full-time with the resources they have.
“But it is what it is and we have just got to get ourselves right and get going as soon as we can. We have a lot of new players and young players and it will take us a bit of time.
“We’re more than aware it will be a tough fight but it is one that we are willing to have a go at.”
Albeit, Doherty does admit that the more full-time outfits in the League of Ireland there are the better it is for the footballing industry in the country.
“It is no coincidence that the best teams in the world are full-time,” the former Shelbourne manager added. “You don’t see Liverpool or Man United being part-time.
“It’s what it should be and unfortunately it’s not us at the moment but hopefully it will be us soon.
“I’m sure people are sick of hearing about investment talks but there is a lot going on.
“It is probably too late for this year but hopefully we can build the club sustainably and not jump at the first thing that comes along. There is a huge appetite for football in Drogheda.”
But while Drogheda are unable to offer their players full-time football, they have worked well in the loan market before and appear to have carried out similar this season.
Striker Freddie Draper and midfielder Elicha Ahui have joined from Lincoln City – just as Sean Roughan and Sam Long did last year.
And Doherty believes that a changing view towards the League of Ireland from English clubs is encouraging them to send more players on loan to this side of the Irish Sea.
“I think English clubs just value the league more,” he explained. “I know that Lincoln certainly value the league.
“They signed a few players from our league and have loaned out for players to us. They value the product and the league and what we can do for them as well.”
But while he may be happy with his signings during the off-season, Doherty knows what his aim is this season at United Park.
“Ultimately it is survival,” he admits. “But we will try and take it game by game and see where we are after a while.
“I mentioned it already, but there are a lot of young players at the club and they will probably have to learn on the job.
“But that it is definitely our target again.”
