League Report: Shelbourne 0-2 Drogheda United

Drogheda United put an end to Shelbourne’s faltering play-off hopes in the SSE Airtricity League First Division with a 2-0 win in Tolka Park on Friday night.

The game revolved around a pivotal moment in the first half when Shels keeper Jack Brady was sent-off for taking down Marc Griffin in the box.

Sean Thornton fired home from the resulting spot-kick before Aaron Ashe added a late second to seal a crucial win for Drogheda.

Shels started the stronger and Jamie Doyle nearly got a break on the ten-minute mark, when an excellent Gavin Boyne pass put him through after neat work from Stephen Elliot, but his second touch went beyond him for a goal kick.

It was five minutes later when Owen Heary’s side created their first real chance of the game. After a brilliant cross from Jamie Doyle was taken in well by James English, Shels’ top scorer was through on goal, but Stephen McGuinness saved well with his legs.

It wasn’t until the 25^th minute that Drogheda created their first chance of note, when Sean Brennan broke forward and had a 25-yard effort go just over.

Almost immediately, Marc Griffin then got in down the right and fired over himself before a moment of real controversy. Griffin was slipped clean through and the slightest of touches from Jack Brady brought him down for a penalty and a compulsory red card for Brady.

After a stuttering run up, Sean Thornton duly slotted home past substitute Greg Murray whose first job was to pick the ball out of the Shels net.

As the half hour mark approached, Shels attempted an immediate comeback when the excellent Jamie Doyle crossed well again for Jack Tuite who headed a weak header straight at McGuinness.

Shels failed to maintain the response and Drogheda nearly extended their lead in the 36^th minute, when a lovely touch by Griffin put Sean Brennan through, but his curling shot narrowly missed the post.

Kevin Farragher then missed a guilt edged chance three minutes later when a header back from a corner came his way three yards-out, and Farragher somehow headed over.

Then five minutes before half time, Gareth McCaffrey did a brilliant bit of skill to get past Ryan Robinson, but his shot from just inside the box hit the side-netting.

Shels started the second half well and another controversial moment arrived when Drogheda keeper McGuinness picked up a back-pass, but referee Sean Grant bizarrely waved play on.

Drogheda were barely making their man advantage count, but a swirling run from Brennan in the 55^th minute saw him have his shot brilliantly saved by Murray and then a second effort cleared off the line by Lorcan Shannon.

Shannon had moved to right back but was still venturing forward when he crossed well for Adam Evans two minutes later, but the substitute headed wide.

Drogheda went close just after the hour mark, after Colm Deasy played a neat one-two with Brennan and saw his shot well saved by Murray in the Shelbourne goal.

It seemed a matter of time before Drogheda were to add a second and Aaron Ashe had another chance a minute later, when Thornton’s shot come cross landed at Ashe’s feet at the edge of the six-yard box, but his shot was blocked by Tuite.

Gareth McCaffery then had a superb attempt twenty yards out after Brennan had played the ball inside from the left, however his well-hit shot went flying by Murray’s post.

With the game remaining with just the one goal in it, Shels were still a threat and they had a penalty shout in the 74^th minute when English had an opportunity to run at Stephen Dunne. He cut into the box and went down but Grant gave a free out for simulation and English got booked for his troubles.

Shels didn’t benefit from a string of substitutions breaking up play and the best chance they could muster up was a speculative Jamie Doyle shot on the turn inside the box with five minutes to go that went well wide.

As Shels pushed forward they became increasingly open at the back and with three minutes to go substitute Liam Donnelly broke forward and put Ashe in down the right, who was wide open and the winger slotted home to seal the three points.

Shelbourne: Jack Brady, Adam O’Connor, Ryan Robinson (Adam Evans 45), Jack Tuite, Reece McEnteer, Daire Doyle, Gavin Boyne, Lorcan Shannon(Dylan Grimes 77), Stephen Elliot(Greg Murray 28), James English, Jamie Doyle.

Subs not Used: Cian Kavanagh, Dylan Kavangh, Michael Kelly, Conor Keeley.

Yellow Cards: English(74), D. Doyle(90).

Red Card: J. Brady (27).

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness, Colm Deasy, Stephen Dunne, Kevin Farragher, Jake Hyland, Marc Griffin (Liam Donnelly 85), Sean Brennan (John McKeown 81), Sean Thornton, Luke Gallagher, Gareth McCaffrey (Derek Doyle 77), Aaron Ashe.

Subs not Used: Patrick Duncan, Llyod Buckley, Sam O’Connor, Ken Costello.

Yellow Cards:  None.

Red Cards: None.

Referee: Sean Grant.

Official Attendance: 683.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Marc Griffin (Drogheda United).

You can see pictures from the game as taken by Laszlo Geczo and Eoin Smith here.