Drogheda United 0-3 Shamrock Rovers

• P.J. Murray
• Wed, Jun 17 2009


A 28 minute goal from Dessie Baker and a late brace from Tadgh Purcell put paid to Drogheda’s short but promising FAI Cup adventure. The three nil scoreline flattered what was an average Rovers performance as their prolific striker Gary Twigg was once again MIA against Drogheda. The win for Rovers ends a series of three draws between the sides this season, and the Tuesday night clash was playing out in similar vein to the previous encounters.

Referee Paul Tuite did his best Howard Webb impersonation as in the second half he was over ruled several times by his linesman and unlike Webb he made some terrible decisions awarding freekicks to both sides in error and letting other discretions go unpunished, one which lead to the opening goal.

Rovers 1-0 lead at half time reflected the scoreline at the same point in all the previous games and many expected Drogheda to comeback into the game, but unlike the other three games the fight back never materialised and in the end they slumped to a deserved defeat.

Bakers goal on 28 minutes came somewhat against the run of play as a series of heavy tackles landed the ball at feet of Purcell who streamed down the wing and floated a sweet cross into the Drogheda box for Baker to run on to and nod past the helpless Skinner.

Rovers second came as any semblance of a Drogheda resistance faded, Purcell found himself in space wide on the right wing and O’Connor picked him out and he duly finished. The third goal was pure route one football as Murphy launched a ball downfield and after a solitary bounce Purcell volleyed into the Drogheda net.

The Boynesiders started off brightly and, unlike last Saturday, they put it up to Rovers from the off. James Chambers having the first effort on goal after four minutes, the right back picked the ball up on the 30 yard mark and the Rovers defence seemed to part allowing him move forward and strike from distance, but his effort was just too high.

Rovers first attempt on 14 minutes lead to several penalty claims which were waved away as Sean O’Connor was played through by Dessie Baker and as the Hoop looked set to pull the trigger James Chambers slid in to take both man and ball and clear the danger.

Paul Skinner pulled off a great save on 20 minutes as Ian Bermingham hit a daisy cutter from just outside the box and the Drogheda keeper got down to deflect the ball over the bar. Gavin Whelan and Jamie Duffy all went close in the first half as Drogheda seemed to dominate despite being a goal down.

The second half petered out with neither side really dominating, however Rovers faced a scare after keeper Murphy went down after a clash with Duffy over a 50/50 ball and the Rovers bench seemed to be scrambling with no replacement readily available, but the keeper soon was up and playing. Overall it was a deserved result for the visiting side who march on to a fourth round tie while Drogheda are back on league duty this Friday with a visit from Jeff Kenna’s St Pats.

Drogheda United: P Skinner, I Ryan (E Osborne 73), R Clarke, C Kenna, P Shiels, P Crowley, J Chambers, G Whelan (M Salmon 84), D O’Connor, J Duffy, B King (S Barrett 63) Subs Not Used: J Flanagan, M Foley, W Woods, M Clarke Shamrock Rovers: B Murphy, I Bermingham, C Treacy, A Price, C Sives, G Cameron, S Rice, S O’Connor, T Purcell (D Cowan 90), G Twigg (S Robinson 84), D Baker Subs Not Used: S Madden, S Bradley, E McGill, O Cahill.