Kilduff and O’Connor see off Drogs

Drogheda United 0 Shamrocks Rovers 2

Goals early in each half from Ciaran Kilduff and Sean O’Connor handed Shamrock Rovers a comfortable win in a low key Premier Division clash at blustery United Park.

For a team with nothing but pride to play for, Rovers came out all guns blazing and Kilduff had a fierce 25 yards shot pushed away by Michael Schlingermann inside the first minute. Ronan Finn then fired menacingly across the six yard box and it was no surprise when the Hoops hit the front on four minutes.

Madden made the goal with a run in behind Drogheda captain Shane Grimes and his cross was turned in at the near post by Kilduff.

The Boynesiders battled gamely against the wind and created one chance of note on 35 minutes when Peter McGlynn drove the ball narrowly wide. But Drogheda’s prospect of salvaging anything from this game took a severe hit three minutes into the second-half when another Madden cross was nodded home by Sean O’Connor.

McCabe had a great chance to add another for Rovers on 56 minutes when he was put through by Finn but this time he placed the shot too close to Schlingermann who saved at the second attempt.

The keeper made a much better stop to deny Kilduff on 68 minutes, finger tipping his shot behind. Thereafter both teams went through the motions.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Schlingermann, McGuigan, McNally, Andrews, Grimes, Wixted, Maher, Holohan, McGlynn, Walshe, O’Neill.

Subs: Crowley for Wixted (53 mins), O’Brien for Maher (79 mins), C O’Connor for McGuigan (90+2).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy, Madden, Kenna, McGuinness, Byrne, Bayly, Finn, Brennan, McCabe, Kilduff, O’Connor.

Subs: Waters for O’Connor (68 mins), Robinson for Brennan (72 mins), Sheppard for Kilduff (82 mins).

Referee: G Kelly (Cork).