Rovers see off Drogs

Shamrock Rovers returned to winning ways following their deserved 3-1 victory over Drogheda United in their Airtricity League Premier Division encounter at Tallaght Stadium last night.

Sat, 19 May, 2012 - 01:00

Shamrock Rovers 3 Drogheda United 1 Rónán Mac Lochlainn

Gary O’Neill and Killian Brennan both went close before the Hoops broke the deadlock on 31 minutes. O’Neill turned provider for Gary McCabe whose shot had too much power for Drogs keeper Gabriel Sava at his near post.

The excellent Stephen Rice almost doubled that advantage in the 41st minute but his goalbound shot from McCabe’s centre was diverted away to safety by the head of Prendergast.

The crucial second goal for the champions arrived in the 55th minute as Twigg and O’Neill combined for the former to strike a powerful right-footed shot beyond Sava from 16 yards.

A third duly arrived in the 82nd minute as Twigg nodded home from close range with Declan O’Brien’s sublime curling shot in the 89th minute offering a crumb of consolation to the visitors.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Jansson; Gilbert (Gannon, 46), Oman, Sives, Powell; McCabe (McCormack, 87), Rice, Brennan, Dennehy; O’Neill (Kavanagh, 84), Twigg.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Sava; Foley, Prendergast, McNally, Hand; G Brennan, R Brennan, P Crowley (M O’Brien, 64), S Brennan (Marshall, 72); Mulvenna (Hynes, 63), D O’Brien.

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).