The first Louth Derby of the season comes quickly, as Dundalk welcome Drogheda to Oriel Park on their return to the Premier Division. The visitors arrive with early momentum and a chance to strengthen their position at the summit.
Dundalk’s campaign opened with a demanding trip to Derry and a point that felt earned rather than gifted. They twice demonstrated resilience at the Brandywell: Eoin Kenny gave them a 21st-minute lead, and after the hosts responded, Arubi edged Dundalk back in front before Derry required a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 2–2 draw. It added another chapter to what is quickly becoming Derry’s own version of the “Late Late Show”, following their dramatic late turnaround against Sligo the previous week.
Drogheda arrive with the clearest early storyline in the division: six points from six, no goals conceded, and a team that has already shown it can travel. They went to Galway first, absorbed long spells of pressure, were out-shot 16–7 and trailed 2.49 to 0.85 on expected goals, yet still left with the points thanks to Godden’s 90+1’ winner. The numbers leaned the other way, but the only statistic that matters is the scoreboard.
They followed that with a far more clinical display against Waterford, racing into a 2–0 lead inside ten minutes through Shane Farrell and Thomas Doyle, setting the tone before the contest had properly settled. Different scripts, same outcome.
Key Information
Kick Off: 20:00, Friday 20 February 2026
Where to Watch: Virgin Media 3
Venue: Oriel Park, Dundalk (Artificial surface; capacity 4,500)
Weather: 7°C (forecast)
Referee: Rob Hennessy
Team News
Dundalk are listed as without Luke Mulligan and Norman Garbett (both injury). Drogheda have no unavailable players flagged for the trip.
Key Statistics
Drogheda lead the Premier Division after two rounds with six points and a +3 goal difference; Dundalk are fourth with one point from their opening game at Derry.
Drogheda have opened with two clean sheets.
Dundalk have already had a small slice of derby bragging rights this year, retaining the Jim Malone Cup after a 1–1 draw that they won 4–2 on penalties in Abbotstown during pre-season.
The highest-scoring derby listed is Drogheda 2–7 Dundalk (19 September 1982). Nine goals in a derby match is still slightly mad.
The all-time head-to-head record favours Dundalk: 25 wins to Drogheda’s 11, with eight draws.
Key Players
Aodh Dervin is the Dundalk player built for a derby like this. With Drogheda showing they can turn matches into tests of patience and duels, Dundalk will need Dervin to dictate the tempo, win second balls, and keep their structure intact when the game stretches. If Oriel becomes frantic, his job is to make it playable.
Kenny has already delivered a big moment away in Derry and will again be Dundalk’s most direct route to goal, especially if Drogheda’s early-season shape invites spells without the ball.
For Drogheda, Godden’s late strike in Galway captured their early edge: they did not need control to be decisive, and they remained dangerous late through set plays and restarts.
Previous Meetings
01/11/24 – Drogheda United 0–0 Dundalk
19/07/24 – Drogheda United 2–1 Dundalk (FAI Cup)
12/07/24 – Dundalk 4–2 Drogheda United
06/05/24 – Drogheda United 2–1 Dundalk
01/04/24 – Dundalk 0–0 Drogheda United