Damien Duff predicted ahead of Shelbourne’s trip to Head In The Game Park that there may be some ex-Reds men in the Drogheda United team out to prove a point to him.
The Shels manager got that right but nothing else went his way as Ryan Brennan (twice) and Dayle Rooney struck to hand his team a rare defeat against this particular opponent.
In-form Shels took just seven minutes to open the scoring. Jack Moylan stole the ball from last defender Georgie Poynton in the centre circle. The midfielder raced through on goal and produced a toe poke finish that beat Colin McCabe.
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It was Moylan’s sixth goal of a productive season for Duff’s side, who arrived in Louth having won all four of their previous clashes against the Drogs.
United looked decidedly nervy in the early stages and they counted their blessings when Matty Smith’s shot looped off Poynton and over the bar.
Shels had managed to block everything Drogheda threw at them until Brennan notched a leveller. United recycled the ball after Shels cleared a corner. Rooney crossed for Brennan who was in space to sidefoot in.
The goal was Brennan’s sixth in all competitions despite this being just an eighth start of the campaign for the local hero.
Rooney’s goal arrived ten minutes after half time and was a thing of beauty. His first shot was blocked.
The ball spun up in the air but Rooney volleyed in the dropping ball. His perfectly executed strike left Brendan Clarke with no chance.
The win was sealed soon after when Brennan notched his second of the game. Again, he and Rooney combined.
The latter crossed from deep. The Drogheda native’s volley was into the ground but Clarke was beaten again.
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