Sport

Drogheda fail to rise to the occasion as Rovers roll on

FAI CUP THIRD-ROUND REPLAY- Drogheda Utd 0, Shamrock Rovers 3: A GOAL before the break followed by two more late on enabled …

Wed Jun 17 2009 - 01:00

FAI CUP THIRD-ROUND REPLAY- Drogheda Utd 0, Shamrock Rovers 3:A GOAL before the break followed by two more late on enabled Shamrock Rovers to beat Drogheda at United Park last night and move into the fourth round.

Drogheda’s performance never reached the level they attained in the drawn game on Saturday night last. But they still enjoyed much the better of the opening exchanges as James Chambers drove over the bar, Gavin Whelan fired into the side netting from a good position and Conor Kenna’s long-range effort was off target.

With 20 minutes gone Ian Bermingham pushed up from the back for Rovers but saw his snap shot turned out for a corner by goalkeeper Paul Skinner. And from the resulting kick Gary Twigg volleyed narrowly over as the visitors began to assert themselves.

The deadlock was broken in the 28th minute when Tadhg Purcell raced down the right and crossed for Dessie Baker, who guided his header past Skinner to the net.

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Drogheda went close within four minutes when a Chambers corner from the right found the inrushing Kenna who, unchallenged, sent his header wide.

Before the break United troubled Rovers at the back once more, but Brian King’s fine effort from almost 30 yards was well watched and held by Barry Murphy.

The second half was for the most part a scrappy affair, punctuated with numerous stoppages and passages of disjointed play. This suited Rovers as Drogheda huffed and puffed throughout without ever seriously threatening an equaliser.

Seven minutes from time the visitors sealed their passage when Sean O’Connor turned defender Ian Ryan before setting up Tadhg Purcell who drove his shot home.

Sixty seconds from the end a punt upfield by goalkeeper Murphy ran straight through to Purcell who had the easiest of tasks to stroke the ball past Skinner and complete a good night’s work for Rovers.

DROGHEDA UNITED:Skinner, Ryan, Clarke (Osborne 73), Kenna, Shiels, Crowley, Chambers, Whelan (Salmon 85), O'Connor, Duffy, King (Barrett 64).

SHAMROCK ROVERS:Murphy, Bermingham, Treacy, Price, Sives, Cameron, Rice, O'Connor, Purcell (Cowan 90), Twigg (Robinson 78), Baker.

Referee:P Tuite (Dublin).

Today’s fixtures

FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP– Group A: Spain v Iraq (3.0); South Africa v New Zealand (7.30).