Soccer

Gary O’Neill strikes twice as Drogheda march on in FAI Cup

Premier League side far too strong for Munster Senior League outfit

Gary O’Neill: showed all his experience and scored a brace in Drogheda United’s win over Ballynanty Rovers. Photo: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Gary O’Neill: showed all his experience and scored a brace in Drogheda United’s win over Ballynanty Rovers. Photo: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Cian O'Connell
Sun Aug 24 2014 - 17:45

Ballynanty Rovers 0 Drogheda United 4

There was never any sign of an FAI Ford Cup shock in Limerick as Drogheda United advanced to the quarter-finals with the minimum of fuss.

With recently installed manager Damien Richardson unavailable to attend due to a prior family engagement assistant Darius Kierans was satisfied with Drogheda's attitude and application in the south west.

“After 10 minutes we settled down and we created numerous chances,” said Kierans.

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“The attitude and professionalism of the lads to see out the game was good.”

Ballynanty caused the visitors a few problems before Drogheda settled to their task.

Drogheda eventually scored in the 25th minute courtesy of a sweet goal from Gavan Holohan which owed much to the excellence of Gary O’Neill.

O’Neill delivered a crisp pass to Daire Doyle, who scampered clear on the right before crossing for Holohan to supply the close-range finish.

Holohan added a second on the stroke of half-time with a smashing effort from just inside the area. Two minutes after the restart O’Neill scored following a Gavin Brennan assist and O’Neill netted again on 76 with a splendid strike to seal the deal.

BALLYNANTY ROVERS: McNamara; Hughes, Dunphy, Earls, S Doran (Daly, 66); Purcell, Ryan, McInerney, Hanlon (O'Brien, 66), Radcliffe (B Doran, 60); Brommel.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Schlingermann; Doyle, McNally, McGuigan, Grimes (Kierans, 52); McGlynn (G Brady, 65), Daly (Crowley, 52), Holohan, Brennan; O'Brien, O'Neill.

Referee: K O'Regan (Kerry).