Video

Details

Date Time League Season
28 February 2022 8:00 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2022

Match Report

Byrne impressive in Rovers win

A magnificent first half performance from Jack Byrne saw Shamrock Rovers beat Drogheda United 3-1 at Tallaght Stadium in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Byrne assisted Sean Gannon for the first goal of the game, before hitting a rocket from 25 yards to double his side’s lead.

Evan Weir pulled one back for the visitors midway through the second half but a Graham Burke strike with just under ten minutes to play, sealed the win for Rovers.

Drogheda United started the affair slightly on top and Alan Mannus was called into action after just five minutes on the clock. Adam Foley’s low driven effort was palmed around the posts by the veteran keeper.

Sadly, for Drogs, this was as good as it got during the first period. Roberto Lopes twice came close from Jack Byrne’s out swinging corners, but his headers went narrowly over the target.

Rovers did open the scoring after just over 20 minutes played. Jack Byrne played an inch perfect through ball into the path of wing back Sean Gannon. Gannon made no mistake and rifled the ball into the bottom corner past Colin McCabe.

The Tallaght Stadium outfit almost doubled their advantage minutes later. Byrne was involved yet again, this time playing Dano Mandroiu through down the left wing. Mandroiu played the ball inside into the path of Andy Lyons who’s left footed strike was saved by McCabe.

It was a piece of individual magic from Jack Byrne that doubled the hosts’ lead. Byrne picked the ball up in space from around 25 yards out and hit a rocket into the top corner, leaving Colin McCabe with no chance.

Things nearly went from bad to worse for the Louth side when Mandroiu tried his luck from a similar distance, but McCabe got down well to deny the Rovers’ attacker.

Stephen Bradley’s side started the second half in the same way they finished the first and Sean Gannon almost found his second of the game just minutes after the restart. Jack Byrne’s free kick found Gannon in space inside the 18-yard box. The wing back’s glancing header was saved well by McCabe.

Drogheda pulled a goal back just after the hour mark after Sean Roughan’s powerful cross was spilled by Alan Mannus, straight into the path of Evan Weir. Weir blasted home from close range to score his first goal for Drogheda United.

Some quick thinking from Andy Lyons set Graham Burke through down the left wing with just over ten minutes to go. Burke’s left footed strike was saved well by the feet of McCabe.

Burke did extend Shamrock Rovers’ lead with just under ten minutes remaining. The lively attacker pounced on a long ball over the Drogheda defence before calmly slotting the ball past Colin McCabe.

Shamrock Rovers

1Alan Mannus Goalkeeper
2Sean Gannon 8 Defender 21'
3Sean Hoare Defender
4Roberto Lopes Defender
5Lee Grace Defender
7Dylan Watts 17 Midfielder
9Aaron Greene 20 Forward
14Daniel Mandriou 38 Midfielder
16Gary O’Neill Midfielder
22Andy Lyons Defender
29Jack Byrne 10 Midfielder 42'
25Leon Pohls Goalkeeper
30Toms Leitis Goalkeeper
6Barry Cotter Defender
8Ronan Finn 2 Midfielder
10Graham Burke 29 Forward 82'
87'
17Richie Towell 7 Midfielder
20Rory Gaffney 9 Forward
24Sean Jones-Carey Defender
38Aidomo Emakhu 14 Midfielder

Drogheda Utd

1Colin McCabe Goalkeeper
2Sean Roughan 9 Defender
3Evan Weir Defender 64'
89'
4Andrew Quinn Defender
7Darragh Markey Midfielder
8Gary Deegan Midfielder 90'
10Dylan Grimes 15 Midfielder
11Adam Foley 45 Forward
14Dane Massey Defender
22James Clarke Midfielder
26George Poynton Midfielder
45Mark Hughes 11 Midfielder
9Chris Lyons 2 Forward
15Dean Williams 10 Forward
15Mohamed Boudiaf Defender
18Dayle Rooney Midfielder
18Charles Mutawe Defender
28Evan Haddock Defender
  • 90'

    There'll be four minutes of additional time here in Tallaght.

  • 82'

    Graham Burke finds the back of the net to score his second goal of the season. 3-1 Rovers with just over five to play.

  • 75'

    Big save from Colin McCabe to deny Graham Burke. Still 2-1

  • 72'

    Big penalty shout from the home crowd as Mandroiu goes down under the challenge of Andrew Quinn. The referee waves play on.

  • 69'

    Since Jack Byrne was replaced , the hosts have lacked creaitivity in the middle of the park and have allowed Drogheda back into the game. Just over 20 minutes remaining.

  • 64'

    One back for Drogs. Sean Roughan's cross was fumbled by Alan Mannus and Evan Weir snatches up the chance and buries it into the back of the net. 2-1

  • 63'

    Drogheda seeing more of the ball here in the last few moments but are struggling to do anything productive with the possession.

  • 60'

    Double change for the visitors with Williams and Hughes replacing Foley and Grimes on the hour mark.

  • 57'

    Graham Burke replaces Jack Byrne.

  • 49'

    Sean Gannon comes close to his second of the game but his glancing header was saved well by Colin McCabe.

  • 46'

    We're back underway for the second half.

  • 45'

    Half Time here at Tallaght Stadium and Rovers are in cruise control.

  • 44'

    Dano Mandroiu with an effort from distance which is just saved by Colin McCabe. Rovers looking very threatening here.

  • 42'

    Jack Byrne with an absolute screamer from 25 yards out. The Rovers playmaker picked up the ball in acres of space before unleashing a rocket into the top corner.

  • 39'

    Byrne's heavily involved again this time send Dano Mandroiu through on the left hand side. Mandroiu slips the ball inside to the on rushing Andy Lyons but his effort is saved by McCabe.

  • 35'

    Jack Byrne is looking like a man on a mission tonight. The Irish international seems to be a step ahead of every other player on the pitch.

  • 30'

    The hosts are still in control of the game but Drogheda's Darragh Markey and Adam Foley are looking dangerous on the counter.

  • 21'

    Goal!! Jack Byrne plays a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of wing back Sean Gannon. Gannon takes a touch before rifling it home into the bottom corner. 1-0 Rovers

  • 18'

    It's the combination of a Jack Byrne corner and a Roberto Lopes header again that almost opens the scoring. Sadly for Rovers, Lopes header goes just wide.

  • 13'

    Roberto Lopes with The Hoops' best chance of the game. Jack Byrne's outswinging corner found the head of the Cape Verde international, but his effort goes narrowly over the bar.

  • 9'

    The travelling Drogheda United faithful really making themselves heard here early on.

  • 7'

    Jack Byrne picking the ball up in some dangerous areas so far but has struggled with his end product.

  • 5'

    Adam Foley with the first chance of the game but his effort is pushed behind the posts by Alan Mannus.

  • 1'

    And we're underway at Tallaght Stadium.

  • Crowds are starting to fill here at Tallaght Stadium with just under ten minutes until kick off.

  • Hello and welcome to FinalWhistle.ie for tonight's League of Ireland Premier Division game between Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United. My name is Luke Delaney and I will be taking you through all of tonight's action.

Past Meetings

(Series 36)
2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United

(Series 24)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 18)
1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United

(Series 6)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 13)
3 - 2
LOI Men's First Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 4)
2 - 2
LOI Men's First Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United

0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

4 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

5 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Drogheda United FC

2 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

Ground

Tallaght Stadium
Tallaght Stadium, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 XC9W

Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.