Shelbourne...2 Drogheda United...0Shelbourne dispelled any doubts that they lack the nerve to win the title as they beat Drogheda United 2-0 at Tolka Park last night to take a commanding four-point lead at the top of the table.
With just three games remaining, two of which are at Tolka Park, Shelbourne know that the title is theirs to win or lose, but on the evidence of last night, they are not going to panic unnecessarily.
Although they would have been forgiven if the slightest note of worry was sounded.
With 17 minutes left in last night's game they were struggling. The game was scoreless and Shelbourne appeared to have run out of ideas. Drogheda had just missed the chance of the game as Declan O'Brien had fired wide after a Barry Molloy effort had deflected off the post. But Jason Byrne headed home a Wes Hoolahan cross in the 74th minute to make it 1-0 and with five minutes left Stuart Byrne made the game safe with a cool finish from Ger McCarthy's cut back.
The result was greeted as much with relief as joy around Tolka Park, but with the game seemingly destined to end 0-0 from very early on, it was clear why.
Shelbourne dominated the first half but couldn't find a way through, with Drogheda coping comfortably while also posing one or two problems of their own in attack.
The right flank seemed Shelbourne's best route to goal and Owen Heary and Richie Baker were enjoying plenty of possession, but too often their crosses didn't reach their intended targets.
Indeed, it wasn't until late in the first half that Shelbourne had their first shot on target.
Rogers dropped Cahill's corner and Jason Byrne fired in a shot that was blocked on the line by Cronin with Jim Crawford firing in a rebound that Cronin once more cleared.
Shelbourne complained bitterly to the referee Paul Tuite that Cronin had blocked Byrne's initial shot with his hand, but the official wouldn't budge and from the following corner, Dave Rogers fired well over the target.
The second half saw Shelbourne lift the pace of the game but still there was no end product to their busy display, a 25-yard Crawford effort that was well saved by Rogers the closest they came to breaking the deadlock.
Pat Fenlon threw Jamie Harris into attack and brought on Wes Hoolahan in an attempt to unlock the Drogheda defence, but the visitors were workmanlike in midfield and tigerish in defence and there seemed no way through.
And as Shelbourne threw more men forward, Drogheda missed a gilt-edged chance to take the lead in the 72nd minute. A quick break led to Barry Molloy curling in a shot from the left that took a wicked deflection off Tony McCarthy. The shot beat Williams, but clipped the post and O'Brien placed the rebound wide with the goal at his mercy.
Two minutes later, it was Shelbourne who were celebrating. Hoolahan beat John Flanagan on the left and stood up a cross at the far post where Jason Byrne seemed to hang in the air to power a header beyond Rogers.
Tolka Park breathed a huge sigh of relief and with five minutes remaining, the result was settled when Stuart Byrne slotted home Ger McCarthy's cut back for his second goal in as many games.
SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, T McCarthy, Harris, Rogers; Baker, S Byrne, Crawford, Cahill; J Byrne, Rowe. Subs: Doherty for Rowe (53 mins), Hoolahan for Cahill (62 mins), G McCarthy for J Byrne (77 mins)
DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers; Flanagan, O'Connor, Lynch, Gray; Quinless, Tierney, Molloy, Cronin; O'Brien, Myler. Subs: Quinn for O'Brien (77 mins)
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
