Drogheda United beat Trabzonspor in first-ever meeting — Anadolu Agency

Irish football club Drogheda United defeated Turkey’s Trabzonspor 1-0 in a friendly match at Papara Park Stadium in Türkiye. It was the first meeting between the clubs, which have sister-club status, Anadolu Agency reports.

Goal late in the match

The first half ended goalless. Drogheda goalkeeper Finn Tully saved shots from Ahmet Cemil Guren and Metehan Mimaroğlu. In the 72nd minute, Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu rounded the goalkeeper and shot from a tight angle, but the Irish team’s defence cleared the ball off the goal line.

The only goal was scored in the 86th minute. Shane Farrell sent a free kick into the penalty area, and Edwin Agbaje finished the attack with one touch from close range. After the goal, Trabzonspor supporters applauded their opponents.

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Club ties since 2010

Trabzonspor and Drogheda United became sister clubs in 2010. Team representatives link the partnership to similarities in the clubs’ colours and symbols, as well as the historical ties between Ireland and the Ottoman Empire. Both clubs use claret and blue colours, while Drogheda’s city coat of arms features a star and crescent, which are also present in the Irish club’s emblem.

According to Drogheda United, contacts between supporters emerged earlier, and Trabzonspor fans provided financial support to the Irish club in 2008–2009. A friendly match scheduled for March 21, 2013, in Dublin was cancelled because of heavy rain. The match in Türkiye took place in the year marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Ireland, established in 1951.