Drogheda United 0 - 4 Sporting Fingal

• Eimear Taaffe
• Fri, Sep 24 2010


Sporting Fingal made the short trip up the M1 tonight for a tie with Drogheda United at Hunky Dory Park. It is Fingal who go home the happier having not conceded and scored on four occasions. The visitors were worthy winners on the night as they outplayed Drogheda for much of the game, the home side showing spells of control in the second half.

The build up and suspense surrounding this crucial tie for both teams, was let down badly by the support at the game, with the Hunky Dory Park attendance at an all time low. United although optimistic have only taken one point out of the last 27.

The first half saw Sporting Fingal dominate. The visitors netted three times in the opening 45 without response from Drogheda. Conan Byrne was first to pen his name on the scoresheet after just 12 minutes. With 20 minutes gone it was Hawkins heading home, and just past the half hour mark Gary O'Neill made it three. It was a first half that United would rather forget.

The second half was more of a contest with Drogheda United coming back into the game. Both sets of players got a good run out, and had their chances. Despite having three or four decent efforts the home team were found wanting.

The game was put beyond any doubt on 82 minutes, when Alan Kirby netted a penalty. United substitute Kevin Ross, only on the field five minutes, was judged to have handled the ball in the area. There was a good case for calls of ball to hand however referee Buttimer didn't hesitate as he pointed to the spot.

The result in Bray (Bray Wanderers 2-2 UCD) paints a bleak picture for Drogheda leaving them five points adrift at the foot of the table with only five games to play. Sporting Fingal leapfrog Sligo into fourth place, one point behind St. Pats.

Drogheda United: Robert Duggan; Yael Haro, Alan McNally, Paul Crowley, Eoghan Osbourne; Ronan McEnteggart (John Flood, 67), Peter McMahon (Kevin Ross,77), Darren Meenan, Mick Daly; Glen Fitzpatrick (JAmie HArris, 59), Darragh McNamarra
Unused subs; Paul Skinner, Paul Montondo

Sporting Fingal: Darren Quigley; Ger O'Brien, Lorcan Fitzgerald (Keith Quinn,88), Kenny Borwn, Colin Hawkins; Ollie Cahill, Conan Byrne, Ronan Finn (Kevin Dawson, 85), Alan Kirby; Gary O'Neill, Glen Crowe
Unused subs; Brian Gannon, Brendan Clarke, Eamon Zayed

extratime Man of the Match: Conan Byrne

Referee: A.Buttimer

Attendance: 400