Report: Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Drogheda United

Shamrock Rovers took their fourth point of the season off Champions Drogheda as the sides played out a scoreless draw at Tolka Park on Friday night. Drogheda should have perhaps opened the scoring during a first half in which they were the better side, however Rovers keeper Barry Murphy pulled off a couple of fine saves, most notably from Tony Grant. The Hoops took the game to the visitors in the second forty five and will feel like they did enough to win the game.

Sean O'Connor returned on the wing for Rovers and Stephen Rice was back in his preferred position in centre midfield. Paul Doolin again opted for just one man upfront, however wide men Aidan O'Keeffe and Shane Robinson took up advanced positions whenever their side was in possession.

Adam Hughes had a good chance early on when he received the ball in the box with his back to goal. He turned smartly but Barry Ferguson was on hand to sniff out the danger. With fifteen minutes on the clock Drogheda were awarded an indirect free kick inside the penalty area after keeper Murphy picked up a Corey Treacy back pass. Paul Keegan was in charge of proceedings but instead of having a crack at goal from circa ten yards he tried to be clever and Rovers cleared with ease.

Grant had a shot at goal from a tight angle inside the box and Murphy got down low quickly to push the ball around the post for a corner. Ollie Cahill beat his man out wide and sent a low hard cross into the area that Aidan Price had to clear.

Keegan was again involved for Droghedas next chance. The midfielder won back possession outside the Rovers penalty area and slipped in Grant. Grant turned neatly and sent a curling right footed shot towards the top corner - but Murphy was again alert and got his fingertips to the ball, putting it out for a corner.

Rovers only real chance of the first half came after good work from O'Connor. The right winger beat his man and pulled the ball back from the byline. It eventually came to Padraig Amond but he failed to connect properly on the volley and Drogheda net minder Jamie Ewings had a comfortable save to make.

Injury forced half time changes upon both managers. Centre back Ferguson got a knock on his neck and was replaced by Alan Murphy. Murphy slotted into midfield and Darragh Maguire moved into defense. Tony Grant damaged his groin so Drogheda introduced Guy Bates.

Rovers back four, and indeed their midfield also, had been very deep in the first half. Right from the start of the second half it was evident that this was something Pat Scully had addressed in his half time team talk. The Hoops squeezed up at every available opportunity and allowed the opposition very little time on the ball.

Doyle and Tadhg Purcell forged an early opening for Amond that Ewings saved well from. Ten minutes into the second half Robinson clearly dived outside the Rovers box when he realised he wasn't going to get the ball. Referee Tom Connolly saw it for what it was but sadly neglected to caution him. Rice then had a tame effort saved.

Drogheda had a great chance to open the scoring on the hour mark. Keegan swung in a free kick and from eight yards Robinson really should have done better. His header went well off target.

Rovers then twice advanced on the right wing and had shots end up off the target. O'Connor carried the ball forward and cut inside but his left footed effort never troubled Ewings. O'Connor then made space out wide for full back Ger O'Brien to come into. O'Brien drifted past Cahill as if he wasn't there, but his shot with his weaker left foot didn't curl inwards enough and ended up a yard or two wide.

Rovers were now very much the better side, with Rice running the show. For all of Rovers possession and pressure, Drogheda were still a danger when they managed to string a couple of passes together. Cahill played in Stuart Byrne, but his shot from twenty five yards was never anywhere near on target.

Doyle did well on the left and delivered a cross into the danger zone that Purcell was very close to getting his head to. The ball eventually came to substitute Mark Langtry, but fearful of a challenge from one of the Drogheda defenders. he turned his back on it and his weak header from six yards was plucked out of the air by Ewings. Bates then had a header from a Jason Gavin cross go the wrong side of the upright.

With the game now in the last five minutes Rovers piled on the pressure. O'Brien and Langtry combined well and when the ball was crossed to the far post the Drogheda defence were forced to clear for a corner. Rice was then up-ended just outside the box and from the resultant free kick substitute Murphy thumped a shot goalwards. Ewings got a strong hand to it and pushed it over the bar.

Rice was again involved as Rovers hit the woodwork in the dying seconds. The former Bohemians midfielder picked up a half cleared corner outside the box and chanced his luck. His shot was going wide but the impressive Amond back heeled it across the face of goal. It was crying out for a touch but no Rovers player was able to get to it - it then clipped the inside of the post before finally being hacked clear.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Ger O'Brien, Barry Ferguson (Alan Murphy 46), Aidan Price, Corie Tracey; Sean O'Connor (Mark Langtry 77), Darragh Maguire, Stephen Rice, Eoin Doyle; Tadhg Purcell, Padraig Amond.
Subs not used: Karl Coleman, David Tyrell, Paul Sharry.

Booked: Ferguson.

Drogheda United: Jamie Ewings; Brian Shelley, Jason Gavin, Graham Gartland, Ollie Cahill; Shane Robinson, Paul Keegan, Stuart Byrne. Adam Hughes; Aidan O'Keeffe (Ibrahima Iyane-Thiam 81), Tony Grant (Guy Bates 46).
Subs not used: Mikko Vilmunen, Shaun Maher, Eamon Zayed.

Booked: Robinson, Zayed.

Referee: Tom Connolly.

Attendance: 1,639