Drogs claim crucial point as Pico Lopes sees red for Rovers

Roberto 'Pico' Lopes of Shamrock Rovers leaves the pitch after being shown a red card. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Drogheda United 0 Shamrock Rovers 0

A banner unfurled by the Drogheda United supporters pre-match read ‘What We Do In Life Echoes In Eternity’, a line of dialogue from the film Gladiator.

Exactly four weeks to the day since Pico Lopes’ Cape Verde faced Argentina in their World Cup round of 32 clash in Miami, it was an indication that like the Argentines, Drogheda were ready to go to battle.

The Rovers team starting XI included their captain, marking his first league appearance in three months. But his night ended early, if only slightly so, as Lopes was dismissed in injury time for a late, high challenge on Drogheda’s Shane Farrell.

Just 72 hours after their Champions League aspirations were ended for another year, Rovers were not at their best but Drogheda will care little about that as they claimed a crucial point in their battle at the bottom.

Lopes has known nothing but adulation in the last two months as his Cape Verde achievements have captured the imagination of all regardless of club affiliation. But when referee Aaron O’Dowd brandished a straight red late in the day, the home supporters made their feelings clear.

With Rovers knocked out of the Champions League just three days earlier, Bradley made six changes to his line-up – teenagers Michael Noonan and Naj Razi started, while Luke O’Regan was handed a first Rovers start. 

Will Fitzgerald, newly arrived from Sligo Rovers after a long courtship, debuted.

The winger’s first taste of life at his new club was against Drogheda, just as his last action for Sligo had been six days earlier. Familiar opposition, but his new environs could hardly differ more.

Rovers are seven points clear at the top of the table, while Sligo sit bottom having lost their manager and captain in quick succession in the last two weeks.

The versatile Fitzgerald began his Rovers career at left wing back but his bow was one of the few notable events in a first half that passed by largely without incident.

John O’Sullivan came closer than anyone to a goal before half-time. Matt Healy’s ball over the top fell kindly for Greene, who squared to O’Sullivan but his effort came off the foot of the post.

With the champions searching for a greater cutting edge in attack, another new recruit, Jonathan Afolabi, entered the game for the second half, replacing Greene.

The second half was much improved fare but did not produce a goal. There weren’t all that many chances that warranted one. Lopes went closest, glancing a header across goal only to see it drop outside of the upright.

Fitzgerald, having switched to the right after Adam Brennan’s introduction, was a danger from that flank and twice had sights on goal. Only one troubled Dennison and that was tame.

Thomas Oluwa’s jinky close control took him past a number of Rovers defenders as Drogheda issued a rare threat. Rare, that is, until Brandon Kavanagh’s 90th-minute strike hit straight at the goalkeeper. 

Keegan Ancelin then let McGinty off the hook in injury time. His effort was straight at the Rovers goalkeeper.

Bradley will rue a chance missed to extend their lead at the top of the table and perhaps just as much, Lopes’ sending off meaning more matches without their talismanic captain.

Drogheda United: Dennison; Agbaje, Bolger, Keeley, Kane; Brennan (Kavanagh, 79), Bates (Godden, 59), Farrell; Bucknor (Davis, 79) Oluwa; Doyle (Ancelin, 63).

Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Sobowale Lopes, Stevens (Grace, 82); O’Regan (Brennan, 68), Healy, O’Sullivan (Byrne, 68), Fitzgerald; Razi, Greene (Afolabi, 46); Noonan (Mahon, 82).

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd