Rovers see off Drogs to keep up title chase

Shamrock Rovers kept alive their slim title hopes with a fully deserved victory over Drogheda United in a game that saw both sides finished with 10 men.

First-half goals from Ciarán Kilduff and Ronan Finn effectively secured the points for Rovers against a disappointing Drogheda side.

Rovers settled first and hit the front in the 16th minute when Gary McCabe delivered a corner into the six-yard area for Ciaran Kilduff to score with a powerful header.

Other than a couple of dangerous Sean Brennan free kicks, Drogheda didn’t pose the same threat going forward and their keeper Gabriel Sava made two fine saves from the impressive Ronan Finn, with Gary Twigg fluffing a chance from a rebound on the second occasion.

It was no surprise when Rovers added to their lead on 32 minutes. McCabe and Twigg combined to set up Finn who dribbled round his marker before angling a superb shot beyond Sava.

Drogheda were given a glimmer of hope on the hour mark when referee Damien Hancock spotted an off-the-ball incident involving Rovers’ Chris Turner and Drogheda captain Paul Crowley. Turner was sent off for an apparent elbow on Crowley who received a yellow card for his retaliation.

It was soon evident, though, that there was to be no late flourish from the Boynesiders and their dismal night was complete when Derek Prendergast received a second yellow card in the 89th minute and was sent off.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Sava; Quigley, McNally, Prendergast, Gannon; S Brennan, Crowley, Byrne, G Brennan; Hynes, O’Brien. Subs: Sullivan for Byrne (58min, Mulvenna for Hynes (69min), Brady for S Brennan (83min).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Jansson; Gilbert, Sives, Hawkins, Powell; Finn, Rice, Turner; McCabe, Twigg, Kilduff. Subs: K Brennan for Twigg (68min), Dennehy for McCabe (72min), Stewart for Kilduff (89min).

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).