LUKE HEENEY’S first goal in 4½ years iced the cake on Drogheda United’s homecoming party as Sligo Rovers were put to the sword.
Goals in each half from Josh Thomas and Darragh Markey had Kevin Doherty’s team in command.
That was before stalwart Heeney bagged a rare goal in injury time, his first since the First Division-clinching win over Cabinteely in 2020.
At least this time there was a crowd here to see it — and a big one at that.
Sullivan & Lambe Park welcomed 2,312 fans for the Drogs’ first home game of the season and their first since the FAI Cup win last November.
The faithful were keen to see their heroes once again — and craved a winning start.
United were at it from the off and Sligo obliged by failing to put it up to them in any real sense.
On-loan Swansea City striker Thomas scored his first career league goal to hand them the lead.
He had already looked a real threat to the Bit O’Red defence before he applied a finish to Shane Farrell’s square pass.
The ex-Shelbourne man had himself gone close earlier on.
He brilliantly wove his way to the edge of the area but Sam Sargeant just managed to turn his shot around the post.
Markey’s last league goal came against Sligo ten months ago.
He had Warren Davis and Owen Lambe to thank for working the ball his way for Drogs’ second as his strike beat Sargeant.
Cian Kavanagh was flagged for offside late on, with the ball in the net.
And Heeney found the net in the 94th minute for a very, very rare goal.
SUN STAR MAN
Darragh Markey (Drogs)
DROGHEDA UNITED: Dennison 7; Quinn 7, Keeley 6, Bolger 6; Lambe 7, Farrell 7, Brennan 6 (Heeney 89, 6), Kane 7; Markey 8; Bawa 6 (Oluwa 62, 5), Thomas 7 (Davis 72, 7).
SLIGO ROVERS: Sargeant 5; Lintott 5 (Van Hattum 69, 5), Denham 6, Mahon 6, Hutchinson 6; Hakiki 7 (Manning 84, 6), Doyle-Hayes 6 (Lomboto 69, 5), Malley 6; Elding 5, Fitzgerald 5; Kavanagh 6.
REFEREE: D Dunne (Dublin) 6.
