REPORT: Drogheda Utd 0 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

An early goal from new signing Alan Murphy inflicted an opening day defeat on defending Champions Drogheda United, as Shamrock Rovers bagged a well deserved 1-0 win over the title favourites at United Park on Saturday evening. Well on top in the first-half, Rovers found the only goal of the game after just three minutes and continued to pressure their opponents for a doubler, before the Hoops produced a magnificent defensive display in the second period to hold out for a narrow but fully merited victory over an out-of-sorts and poor home side.

Drogheda boss Paul Doolin was forced to start with Finnish ‘keeper Mikko Vilmunen, who took his place between the sticks as regular netminder Dan Connor sat out injured. New signing Joe Kendrick, meanwhile, started at left-back, in a near full-strength line-up. On the opposition side, Pat Scully handed full competitive debuts to six of his close-season acquisitions, as Darragh Maguire, Pat Flynn, Sean O’Connor, Stephen Rice, Dessie Baker and Alan Murphy were all among the starting XI.

And it was one of those new arrivals who had a dream start to his Rovers career. The game was only 130 seconds old when Rovers shocked Drogheda, as they took an early lead following a set-piece. A long free-kick by right-back Ger O’Brien from the centre circle was headed down only as far as Alan Murphy, with the former Galway United man dispatching to the net from just inside the area with a sweet strike off the underside of the crossbar and into the top corner.

Drogheda replied with plenty of possession, but it was the tenth minute before they found their opening opportunity of the match as Shane Robinson went close. The midfielder picked the ball up outside the box and unleashed a powerful 20-yard effort which forced ‘keeper Barry Murphy into a good save as he pushed the ball behind for a corner.

Just after the quarter hour, however, Rovers came within inches of doubling their lead. A corner from Sean O’Connor was met by the head of his fellow ex-Saint Patrick’s Athletic team-mate Darragh Maguire, however, the centre-half saw his effort crash back off the upright, with the covering defence clearing the immediate danger before a wild long-range shot allowed the Drogheda defence to breathe easier after coming under good pressure from the Hoops.

Just over halfway through the opening period, Rovers again went close. A nice passing triangle between Stephen Rice, Murphy and O’Connor ended with the young winger sending a shot across the face of the home goal from 12-yards, as the Drogs again escaped. O’Connor then had another effort on goal on the half-hour as Rovers continued to have the better of the chances, however, his curling shot was easily gathered by Mikko Vilmunen.

On 36 minutes, and after a good move down the right flank in a rare attack, Drogheda threatened to create an opening. Richie Baker almost played the incisive pass from midfield as he put Robinson in on goal, however, the impressive O’Brien raced across his area to clear the ball behind before the Drogs man could connect. The hosts were again on the attack two minutes later, however, Joe Kendrick’s cross was brilliantly defended by Barry Ferguson as the defender took the ball off Zayed’s head as the striker was about to pounce from five-yards.

After a short period of Rovers pressure in injury-time, Drogheda broke forward and almost grabbed an undeserved equaliser with the last touch of the half. A needless foul by O’Brien on Robinson handed the home side the free, with Baker’s resulting delivery being met powerfully by the head of Paul Keegan, who smashed the crossbar with a thumping header from inside the box.

A quiet opening to the second-half saw Drogheda again hold a lot of possession but fail to do anything of note with it, as Rovers seemed content to hold on to their one-goal lead. Not until the 63rd minute did the Drogs threaten, as Keegan, after Zayed’s initial effort was blocked, saw his weak shot cleared off the line and behind. As they struggled for creativity, Doolin decided to change things around as he introduced new signing, 6ft6 Senegalese star Ibrahima Iyane Thiam, with Stuart Byrne joining him soon after.

Those changes were unable to work the oracle, however, and it wasn’t until the final minute of normal time that they forced the Rovers netminder into a save. Robinson found himself free inside the box, however, his shot was palmed away by Murphy as Rovers survived, before sub Adam Hughes went close with a header which landed on the roof of the visiting net, as Scully’s side held out relatively comfortable for an impressive win.
 

Drogheda United (4-4-2): Mikko Vilmunen; Brian Shelley, John Tambouras, Graham Gartland, Joe Kendrick; Richie Baker (Adam Hughes 78), Shane Robinson, Paul Keegan (Stuart Byrne 68), Ollie Cahill; Guy Bates (Ibrahima Iyane Thiam 66), Eamon Zayed.

Booked: Bates, Tambouras (77), Thiam.
 

Shamrock Rovers (4-4-2): Barry Murphy; Ger O’Brien, Darragh Maguire, Barry Ferguson, Pat Flynn; Sean O’Connor (Tadhg Purcell 75), Stephen Rice, Danny O’Connor, Eric McGill; Dessie Baker (John Martin 87), Alan Murphy (Eoin Doyle 68).

Booked: Maguire (66).

Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).

Attendance: 2,500 (estimate).