Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor hosted Irish side Drogheda United in a friendly, bringing together the sister clubs as Türkiye and Ireland mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Thursday’s match at Papara Park marked Drogheda United's first appearance in Türkiye and came as the two countries celebrate longstanding historical and cultural ties.
Before kickoff, players from both teams posed together for a group photo, highlighting the friendship between the clubs.
The first half ended goalless, with Drogheda goalkeeper Fynn Talley making saves from Ahmet Cemil Guren and Metehan Mimaroglu as Trabzonspor sought the opener.
Trabzonspor came close to taking the lead in the 72nd minute when Paul Onuachu dribbled past the goalkeeper and shot from a difficult angle, but Drogheda's defence cleared the ball off the goal line.
Drogheda broke the deadlock in the 86th minute when Shane Farrell sent a free kick into the box and Edwin Agbaje finished from close range with one touch.
Trabzonspor fans applauded the opposing team after the goal, further highlighting the friendly atmosphere surrounding the encounter.
Drogheda United won the match 1-0.
Football friendship rooted in history
Trabzonspor and Drogheda United became sister clubs in 2010, formalising a relationship built around sporting and historical ties.
Trabzonspor said the partnership was inspired in part by similarities between the clubs' crests and the historical connection between Ireland and the Ottoman Empire.
The clubs share similar burgundy-and-blue colours, while Drogheda's coat of arms features a star and crescent, elements also used in Drogheda United's crest.
According to Drogheda United, links between supporters developed earlier, while Trabzonspor fans provided financial support to the Irish club during a period of difficulty in 2008-09.
Both clubs point to humanitarian aid provided by the Ottoman Empire to Ireland during the Great Famine in 1847 as part of the historical foundation of their relationship.
A planned friendly between the clubs in Dublin on March 21, 2013, was cancelled because of heavy rain, making Thursday's encounter their first meeting on the field.
The match comes as Türkiye and Ireland mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, which were established in 1951.
