Drogheda F.C. were founded in 1919, but didn't join the ranks of senior
football until 1961. The club had been relatively happy playing in the Junior ranks, but it was
decided in 1958 to apply for league membership, but beforehand to prove their worth in the Junior
divisions. In 1961 Drogheda and Sligo were elected to the LOI.
Drogheda decided to approach Drogheda United for a merger in 1975, they
believed it was time to get a home of their own. As of the 1975 season the club was called Drogheda
United. Drogheda had come close in their time to lifting the FAI Challenge Cup, but lost to
Limerick in the final after a replay. Drogheda United have fared better wining the league Cup and
the first divison Championship three times in 1989, 91 and most recently in 1999. The club have
also managed to win the First Division Shield, defeating Home Farm in teh final in 1991. The club
has however, come closer to better things and lost in the final of the FAI cup in 1976 to Bohs, they
have lost in the final of two Leinster Senior Cups, to St. Pats and Bohemians, both during the
eighties and have finished runners up in teh first division twice, in 1995 and 1997.
The closest Drogheda have come to lifting the League Championship as in 1986 when
the club finished second behind Athlone, In doing so they qualified for the UEFA Cup , but it was a
none too happy experience, losing 14-0 on aggregate. In recent times the club has had a bit of a
Yo-Yo reputation, having been promoted and relegated five times in the past 13 years. |
