In the Premier League, Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda had a 1-1 draw, with Douglas James-Taylor, a loanee from Walsall, proving instrumental for Drogheda United. He netted an impressive equaliser in the latter half of the game, displaying the team’s commendable determination even in their position at the foot of the table. Drogheda now stands only two points behind Dundalk in the struggle to evade outright relegation, having not suffered a defeat in four matches.
For Shamrock Rovers, the result was seen as a failing on their part to capitalise on the defeats of Shelbourne at Sligo Rovers’ hands and Derry City’s dropped points. This places Stephen Bradley’s team in the table’s fifth position, lagging by 10 points from Shelbourne. This was the opposite of what they hoped for prior to their important Europa League tie with the Slovenian team, Celje.
Despite maintaining the same lineup in their third successive game, Drogheda gave Shamrock Rovers an early scare, launching an attack in the opening minute. James-Taylor missed a golden chance by heading over the goal.
Shamrock Rovers managed to get ahead six minutes into the game, capitalising on a misfire from Drogheda’s James Bolger who was pressured by Darragh Burns. Burns then cleverly controlled Gary O’Neill’s through ball before coolly placing the ball past Luke Dennison, attaining his fifth league goal of the season. Despite their dominance and successful passing manoeuvres, Shamrock Rovers failed to increase their lead.
Farrell showcased a threatening execution with his right foot as his long-range attempt was fumbled by Leon Pohls on the post. The visitors, Rovers, exerted pressure on Drogheda from the corner by launching a counterattack with Byrne’s pass that prompted Burke to move swiftly down the right. Despite evading Bolger with a swift dash inside, his shot towards Dennison was dramatically intercepted by visiting captain Ryan Brennan.
As Drogheda narrowly escaped another potential score on the 44-minute mark with Greene’s header missing the goal post following Byrne’s cross, Rovers appreciated the sound of the half-time whistle. This was after Brennan’s shot in a congested zone was awkwardly caught at the second try by Pohls.
Pohls’s unreliable goalkeeping became apparent once again just two minutes post the halftime break when Farrell’s free-kick was not caught leaving Drogheda in relief as James-Taylor failed to score the loose ball.
In the 67th minute, James-Taylor had another shot at the goal following yet another pass into the zone by Farrell only to shoot above the mark before Rovers made their first threat in the second half.
Burns sent the newly signed Marc McNulty through to lob Dennison with a long pass, but Andy Quinn made a worthwhile effort to intercept and steal the ball.
James-Taylor then shot into the side-netting and Drogheda was finally at par in the 74th minute, courtesy of a quick free-kick from Luke Heeney that gave wings to wingback Conor Kane down the left.
His looping cross was impressively converted by James-Taylor who stretched to score giving Drogheda the reward they had worked hard for.
Match Details:
Shamrock Rovers: Pohls; Cleary (Honohan, 58), Lopes, Kavanagh (Grace, 58); O’Neill, Poom; Burns, Byrne (Farrugia, 68), C. O’Sullivan; Burke (McNulty, 58); Greene (Watts, 68).
Drogheda United: Dennison; Quinn, Webster (Keaney, 68), Bolger; Ahui, Brennan (Markey, 66), Heeney, Kane; Farrell, Taylor (Foley, 82), Pierrot.
Presiding Referee: Rob Hennessy (Clare).