Drogheda United 0 - 2 Shamrock Rovers

• Eimear Taaffe
• Sat, Aug 14 2010


Shamrock Rovers pulled a three point lead at the top of the Premier Division after a 2-0 win against Drogheda United at Hunky Dory’s Park on Friday evening.

Drogheda United lined out with a total of five changes from the team who played against St. Patricks Athletic last Friday. First team regulars Treacy, McNally, Crowley and McGill returning from suspension, as Conor Sinnott made his first appearance in claret and blue since signing at the end of the transfer window. A strong Rovers team lined out to face the Boynesiders who sit second last in the league table.

Rovers started the better, and dominated the first half. They had three corners and numerous efforts on goal, yet no one managed to pen their name on the score sheet. Twigg and Stewart looked threatening throughout, as did Bradley and Chambers from both set-pieces and open play.

The homeside’s defence were kept busy for the match as they were tested time and time again by a ambitious Shamrock Rovers side. Drogheda looked to push forward and almost penetrated the net of Mannus around the hour mark.

Rovers themselves seemed rusty in front of net, despite having all of the possession. That was until Gary Twigg found the net on 68. Dennehy progressed down the left before sending in the cross for Gary Twigg to open the scoring. Billy Dennehy doubled the lead just four minutes later. Gary Twigg lined up a shot, but Dennehy came in and stuck it past Duggan.

On came the subs with thirty minutes gone in the second half, Stephen Rice on for Bradley for Rovers, young McNamara on for debutant Sinnott, McMahon and Flood off as Meenan and Fitzpatrick replaced them. Minutes later Sean O'Connor made an appearance coming on for Paddy Kavanagh in the centre.

The game went on and descended into a comedy of colours as referee Anthony Buttimer showed five yellow cards to Drogheda United. While Hoops midfielder Robert Bayly was shown a red card on 85 minutes after receiving two yellow cards. The game ended as it began with Rovers in the driving seat, as United, despite the efforts of many, were simply outplayed.

On a night were their bottom of the table opposition inch ever closer, with Bray Wanderers and Galway United collected three points each, it has not been a good day at the office for the Drogs.

Drogheda United: Duggan, Osbourne, McNally, McGill, Crowley, Tracey, Sinnott (McNamara 75’), McMahon (Meehan 75’), Daly, Brennan, Flood (Fitzpatrick 75’) .
Subs: Skinner, Ross.

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus, Chambers, Murray, Price, Stevens, Bayly, Bradley (Rice 75’), Kavanagh (O’Connor 76’), Dennehy, Stewart, Twigg (Murphy 86’).
Subs: Barrett, Jennings.

Referee: A. Buttimer