Breen piles on misery

Substitute Johnny Breen finished this Ford FAI Cup tie with an eight-minute hat-trick to see Drogheda through to the last 16 against 10-man Munster Senior League side Mayfield.

The deadlock was broken after 10 minutes when Peter Hynes’s overhead kick was judged to have crossed the line.

Declan O’Brien added the second and Gavin Brennan a third before the break.

Referee Neil Doyle showed a straight red card to Mayfield sub Stephen Hurley for an off-the-ball challenge on Eric Foley in the 71st minute, before the 10 men pulled a goal back thanks to a Greg Kelly header.

Drogheda finished the stronger, however, with Breen striking in the 84th, 88th and 92nd minutes to underline his side’s dominance.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Sava; Gannon, McNally, Prendergast, Hand; Brady (Marshall 53), Foley, Crowley, G Brennan (S Brennan 46); Hynes (Breen 63), D O’Brien.

MAYFIELD UNITED: Winters; Kiely, Wolfe, I Fleming, Roddis; E Fleming (McBride 60), O’Shea, Grainger, Warren (Buckley 77), Kelly; Finn (Hurley 66).

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).