Glentoran 0 Drogheda United 1:Glentoran's interest in the Setanta Sports Cup cracked in freezing conditions at The Oval last night. Aidan O'Keefe's second-half goal sealed victory for holders Drogheda United, who, as a result, are back in contention for a place in the semi-finals.
O'Keefe hit the winner just three minutes after the interval, his first goal for the club since his close-season transfer from Bohemians.
Drogheda took to the slippery surface with four changes to the side that edged out UCD in an eircom League game last Friday and just after a sudden burst of snowfall, O'Keefe gave Drogheda the lead. Simon Webb's perfect pass over the top of the home defence sent O'Keefe clear and he drove the ball under the advancing Dougherty with ease.
It was Drogheda that dominated the early exchanges but when Glentoran's Gary Hamilton brushed off Graham Gartland in the 13th minute the former Northern Ireland international should have done better with his attempt to pick out a team-mate with an attack that was eventually ably dealt with by the Drogheda defence.
GLENTORAN: Dougherty, Simpson (Morgan 78), Leeman (c), Smyth, S Ward, Browne, McDonagh (Berry 60), Fitzgerald, Hill (M Ward 70), Halliday, Hamilton.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor, Lynch, Webb, Gavin (c), Gartland, Robinson, Zayed (Fitzpatrick 75), Keegan, O'Keefe (Grant 75), Cahill (Shelley 90), Baker.
Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)
