Shamrock Rovers 1 Drogheda United 2While their manager, Paul Doolin, may want to play down the championship-challenging potential of his team, his players carried on regardless at Richmond Park as they consolidated their second place in the table with this deserved win over a Rovers side that disappointed for the second match running writes Paul Buttner at at Richmond Park.
It's one defeat in 10 matches, and just two goals conceded, for a Drogheda team that had lost its opening three games.
Last night their defence was as solid as a rock, beaten only by a late penalty, and they passed the ball purposefully in midfield, while Rovers' defensive shortcomings were clinically exposed by goal-scorers Declan O'Brien and substitute David Freeman.
Rovers gave a league debut to former Irish youth international Fiachra McArdle on the right side of their three-man midfield and the ex-Derby County trainee was deprived of a dream start by the Drogheda crossbar inside the first minute as a prelude, perhaps, to Rovers' lacklustre night.
McArdle began the move deep in his own half and was there seconds later to meet Trevor Molloy's lay-off only to see his side-footed shot from just outside the area come back off Gary Rogers's crossbar.
The ebullient Molloy carved out the next opening, a disappointing 15 minutes later. A beguiling feint wrong-footed both Alan Reilly and Brian Kelly, but Rogers was scarcely troubled by Molloy's curling left-foot shot.
As their excellent run suggested, there was a purpose to Drogheda and they passed the ball well to carve Rovers open for their first real opportunity in front of goal on 28 minutes.
The Rovers defence was stretched as Gary Cronin got free out on the left, O'Brien just failing to get sufficient purchase on his header, which went harmlessly wide. But O'Brien, who had scored in the previous two games, made no mistake for the lead goal seven minutes later.
Again, the Rovers defence stood indicted as they were caught square as Aidan Lynch lofted a ball down the middle.
O'Brien was left totally unmarked and took a stride or two before casually lobbing the committed Noel Mooney.
Rovers pressed hard on the resumption, but failed to test Rogers as Drogheda regained the initiative to score their second on 69 minutes.
Once more Rovers' defending was absent as Rogers's long ball wasn't dealt with. Mooney never got near the ball and O'Brien laid off for Freeman to drill into an unguarded net.
A penalty, taken by sub Steven Gough, following a handball by Reilly from Molloy's corner, gave Rovers a lifeline on 74 minutes. But Jason McGuinness being sent off four minutes later for a rash challenge on O'Brien - the player he had fouled in acquiring his first booking - didn't help Rovers.
They did rally in the final minutes, but Mark Rutherford planted a header into the side- netting from Molloy's cross to just about sum up their night.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mooney; Croly, McGuinness, Palmer (McDonnell, 72 mins), Doyle; McArdle (Gough, 69), Tracey (Kenny, 81), Caffrey; Grant, Molloy, Rutherford.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers; Sullivan, O'Connor, Gray, Kelly; Quinless, Lynch, Reilly, Cronin; O'Brien (Rooney, 81 mins), Myler (Freeman, 64).
Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).
