League Report: Drogheda United 1 - 0 Shelbourne

Drogheda United extended their lead over third placed Shelbourne to five points in the SSE Airtricity First Division thanks to a 59^th minute strike from defender Niall Cooney.

The home side ended the clash with 10 men when substitute Jake Hyland received a straight red one minute into additional time at the end of the game.

Drogs manager Pete Mahon made one change from the team that defeated Athlone Town last week. Derek Doyle dropped to the bench with Sam O'Connor coming in. This meant Aaron Ashe moving to the wing and O’Connor taking over as the lone striker.

Shels also made one alteration to the side that fired four past Cabinteely. Sadiq Ogantola moved to the bench with Robert O'Reilly starting.

It was clear from the start that Shelbourne were going to look to hit Drogheda with long direct balls up to James English and Jamie Doyle.

It was such a long ball that created Shels opening chance. Stephen McGuinness’s sliced clearance landed at the feet of English on the edge of the box. Slightly surprised to see the ball and partially off balance, English could only shoot high and over the bar.

Niall Cooney scoring the only goal of the game to give Drogs all three points - Photo: Larry McQuillan

Moments later another long ball had the Drogs defence exposed. A cushioned header from English presented Jamie Doyle with the ball. The former UCD man had time to line up the shot but his attempt flew wide of McGuinness’s post.

The home side’s first real chance came after 25 minutes via a Sean Brennan free kick. His fine ball into the box was met by Sean Thornton but he couldn’t direct the ball goalward. A scramble followed but ultimately ended in a free out.

Jamie Doyle was very close to an opening Shels goal ten minutes before half time when his powerful shot smashed off the corner of the goal frame.

The Reds were the better of the sides in the opening 45 but Kevin Doherty will rue his side not scoring as it all changed in the second half.

Pete Mahon’s half time talk clearly worked as Drogs managed to neutralise the Shels threat. Unlike the first period, the visitors struggled to get out of their half and when they did, they rarely managed to hold onto possession for long.

Shels did have the first chance of the half when Jamie Doyle breezed through the home defence but, with just the keeper to beat, his shot failed to hit the target.

The deadlock was broken on the hour when Stephen Dunne crossed into the box and Niall Cooney, on the back post, was there to fire into the roof of the net.

With 15 minutes to play and with Shels pushing for an equaliser, Jamie English laid the ball to Gavin Boyne on the edge of the box. His chip shot had McGuinness backtracking and the Drogs keeper just managed to get fingertips to the ball to push it over the crossbar.

Substitute Sodiq Oguntola had a couple of half chances for Shelbourne but Drogheda United held on to earn three valuable points.

The only blotch on the copybook came with only minutes to go when sub Jake Hyland was red carded for his tackle on a Shels player.

Next up for Shelbourne is an FAI Cup Second Round game against Dundalk whilst Drogheda United travel to Derry in the same competition.

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Lloyd Buckley, Niall Cooney, Luke Gallagher, Stephen Dunne; Adam Wixted (Eoin Kirwan, 88), Sean Thornton, Aaron Molloy, Sean Brennan (Jake Hyland, 81), Aaron Ashe (Derek Doyle, 81); Sam O’Connor.

Subs not used: Patrick Dunican, Mark Doyle, Liam Donnelly, Kenneth Costello.

Yellow Cards: Sean Brennan (31), Lloyd Buckley (90 + 2).

Red Cards: Jake Hyland (90).

Shelbourne: Jack Brady; Adam O’Connor, Conor Keeley, Aidan Collins (Carl Walshe, 81), Robert O’Reilly (Sodiq Oguntola, 63); Dylan Kavanagh, Daire Doyle, Gavin Boyne, Lorcan Shannon (Dylan Grimes, 73), Jamie Doyle; James English.

Subs not used: Greg Murray, Ryan Robinson, Alan Kehoe, Robert Duggan.

Yellow Cards: Gavin Boyne (68), Daire Doyle (85).

Red Cards: None

Referee: Robert Hennessey.

Attendance: 800 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Niall Cooney (Drogheda United).