League Report: Drogheda United 2 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

An injury time own goal brought to an end ten man Drogheda United’s record of failing to beat Shamrock Rovers in the league at United Park since 2005 as the Louth side secured a 2-1 victory on Friday evening.

It was a scrappy first quarter of an hour at United Park as both sides struggled to keep possession of the ball and failed to create any chances.

It wasn’t until Ronan Finn’s header sixteen minutes in went narrowly wide of the near post, much to the disappointment of the travelling support, some of which were celebrating thinking the ball had gone in.

Rovers should have taken the lead 20 minutes in. Graham Burke collided with Drogheda goalkeeper McGuinness before the ball fell to McAllister who shot at goal, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Colm Deasy.

Drogheda began to come more into the game, largely thanks to teenager Mark Doyle, who was making his league debut.

Drogheda were rewarded for their efforts just after the half hour mark as they were awarded a penalty for a push on Thornton in the box. Thornton stepped up to send Chencinski the wrong way and give Drogheda the lead.

Trevor Clarke was the constant threat throughout for Rovers and five minutes after the Drogheda goal, Clarke beat his man before cutting inside and testing McGuinness.

Rovers saw more of the ball in the second half as they pushed for an equaliser but the closest they came was on 69 minutes. A Rovers corner was headed back across goal by Devine towards Boyd who sent his effort straight at McGuinness when he should have scored.

Both sides began to turn to more of a long ball type style and it was Rovers got level at the beginning of what would be six minutes of madness to conclude the game.

The Hoops were awarded a penalty for what appeared to be a foul on Gary Shaw despite referee Rob Rogers first waving away the appeals. The referee then showed a straight red card to Drogheda captain Sean Brennan for what appeared to be dissent.

Graham Burke stepped up to send McGuinness the wrong way and bring Shamrock Rovers level.

Drogheda, however, were not finished there. The home side were awarded a free kick on the right side of the pitch. The ball was delivered into the box by Thornton, headed goalwards by Ryan McEvoy and ended up in the back of the via a touch from a Shamrock Rovers defender.

Rovers looked to desperately find a late equaliser but it was Drogheda who held on for all three points.

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Colm Deasy, Kevin Farragher, Luke Gallagher (c), Stephen Dunne; Sean Thornton, Richie Purdy, Jake Hyland; Gareth McCaffrey (Ryan McEvoy 89), Mark Doyle (Thomas Byrne 85), Gavin Brennan (Sean Brennan 39).

Unused Subs: Ryan Coulter (c), Conor Kane, Adam Wixted, Jamie Hollywood.

Booked: Mark Doyle (58), Jake Hyland (66), Sean Thornton (72).

Red Card: Sean Brennan (88).

Shamrock Rovers: Tomer Chencinski; Simon Madden, David Webster, Danny Devine, Roberto Lopes (Darren Meenan 67); Trevor Clarke, Ronan Finn (C), David McAllister (Sean Boyd 61), Sam Bone (James Doona 76); Gary Shaw, Graham Burke.

Unused Subs: Kevin Horgan (gk), Luke Byrne, Brandon Miele, Dean Dillon.

Booked: Danny Devine (74)

Referee: Robert Rogers.

Attendance: 1,100 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Mark Doyle (Drogheda United).