Drogheda's Euro adventure continues

Drogheda United 3 AC Libertas 0 (Drogheda win 4-1 on aggregate)

Paul Keegan scored his first two goals of the season as Drogheda eased into today's UEFA Cup second qualifying round draw today.

His goals helped secure a straightforward win over the Sammarinese amateurs in a one-sided game at Dalymount Park.

Drogheda took the lead as early as the 11th minute. But such was Libertas' 5-4-1 formation, which ensured nine men behind the ball at all times, were frustrated for the remainder of the first half.

Keegan's first goal was a cracker, and helped ease Drogheda nerves early on.

Sami Ristila deserved great credit for winning possession and squaring the ball to Keegan who found the top corner of Michele Ceccoli's net with a rising shot from 25 yards.

Drogheda virtually owned the ball thereafter but rarely troubled Ceccoli in the visitors' goal before the interval.

That changed within minutes of the restart when Keegan scored again to put the result beyond doubt.

Having just blasted wide from Shane Robinson's corner, Keegan made no mistake on 49 minutes when shooting home from 16 yards after Eamon Zayed cushioned down Robinson's header.

Captain Stuart Byrne added the third goal on the hour mark as he arrived unmarked to head Robinson's corner to the net.

Keegan was then deprived of his hat-trick in stoppage time when his long-range drive came back off the crossbar.