Details

Date Time League Season
28 August 2022 5:00 pm FAI Cup 2022

Match Report

Shamrock Rovers require extra time to get past Drogheda United

Shamrock Rovers became the final team to add their name to the hat for the FAI Cup Quarter Finals after extra time was required to beat Drogheda this evening.

Sean Gannon put Rovers in the lead after just four minutes but ex-Rovers man Dean Williams struck just before the hour mark from a very similar spot to equalise.

Andy Lyons was the hero though as with just ten to go in extra time Lyons picked the ball up just inside the box and smashed low and hard into the bottom corner to once again show Rovers incredible winning mentality. 

Drogheda would’ve been hoping that they could pounce on Rovers from the off as they would be the fresher side with Rovers in action in Europe on Thursday night but it went the opposite way.

Rory Gaffney picked up the ball at the edge of the box and had all the time in the world to get a shot on goal. McCabe produced a great save in the Drogheda net but with the defense switched off Rovers recovered the ball and it was Gannon who eventually stuck the back of the net after just four minutes.

Rovers looked to build on their opener immediately forcing Colin McCabe into multiple saves before we hit the quarter hour mark but Drogheda kept the deficit to just one.

The game calmed down in the following stages, both teams struggled to work much beyond the back lines with Drogheda finding their feet after an early wobble. Rory Gaffney had a chance from 12 yards on his right but fired well over to the delight of the home crowd.

Neither side created too much towards the end of the half but the game began to flow a bit more with the referee leaving some slight contact go unpenalised. Roves lead by one at the break.

Drogheda United started the second half the better side and showed that they were well within a chance of getting back in this game. Just before the hour mark they did so.

Ex Shamrock Rovers man Dean Williams was on hand to smash home from close range after Drogheda recycled play after a Darragh Makey corner was not cleared. The low ball came across the Rovers box from the right and Williams was on hand to equalise to the wild home celebrations. 

Both teams battled hard with the scores level but neither managed to take a real hold of the game in the final half hour. Drogheda controlled play late on as it looked like Rover's fatigue might start to catch up to them having played substantially more games than their hosts this season but neither team broke through before the end. Extra time to come.

Both sides ran the benches late in the game and in the opening half of extra time as we saw some much-needed fresh legs come into the game. There was little to report apart from a yellow for either side in the opening half of ET.

The breakthrough finally came after 110 minutes. Andy Lyons picked up the ball at the edge of the box and smashed off his right low and hard past McCabe to give his side the lead, in what must be said was against the run of play. 

Drogheda pushed late to try bring it to penalties but Rovers proved once again that they are a team who know how to win and are for sure a favourite to win this cup.

Drogheda Utd

1Colin McCabe Goalkeeper
3Evan Weir 14 Defender
4Andrew Quinn Defender
5Keith Cowan Defender
7Darragh Markey Midfielder
8Gary Deegan Midfielder 104'
10Dylan Grimes Midfielder
16Dayle Rooney 11 Midfielder
17Dean Williams 9 Forward 59'
26George Poynton Midfielder
28Darragh Noone 21 Midfielder
35Lee Steacy Goalkeeper
41Fiachra Pagel Goalkeeper
9Chris Lyons 17 Forward 118'
11Adam Foley 16 Forward
14Dane Massey 3 Defender
20Emre Topcu Midfielder
21Luke Heeney 28 Midfielder
23Stevan Stanic-Floody Forward

Shamrock Rovers

25Leon Pohls Goalkeeper
2Sean Gannon 21 Defender 4'
3Sean Hoare 17 Defender 36'
5Lee Grace Defender 49'
6Daniel Cleary Defender
7Dylan Watts 11 Midfielder
9Aaron Greene 38 Forward
16Gary O’Neill Midfielder 118'
20Rory Gaffney 8 Forward
22Andy Lyons Defender 110'
29Jack Byrne 23 Midfielder
1Alan Mannus Goalkeeper
8Ronan Finn 20 Midfielder
11Sean Kavanagh 7 Defender
17Richie Towell 3 Midfielder
21Justin Ferizaj 2 Midfielder
23Neil Farrugia 29 Midfielder
26Chris McCann Midfielder
28Gideon Tetteh Forward
38Aidomo Emakhu 9 Midfielder 104'
  • 123'

    Full time! Rovers survive and their league and cup double quest continues.

  • 121'

    Three minutes added....

  • 119'

    Emakhu goes so close to ensuring the tie was dead through a sublime dink but it is somehow saved by McCabe

  • 117'

    Drogheda really pushing to get back in this....

  • 110'

    GOAL!! Andy Lyons smashes low and hard into the bottom right corner to give Rovers to lead!

  • 106'

    Right, do we see a winner of are penalties to come?

  • 105'

    2nd half of ET to come.

  • 105'

    One additional minute at the end of the first half of extra time.

  • 105'

    Emakhu booked for a bad tackle immediately after. Game maybe waking up!

  • 104'

    Deegan booked for a bit of an elbow in the back.

  • 99'

    Drogheda the better of the sides as they begin to use their bench, but no team is fully in control as of now. Fatigue well and truly set in for both teams.

  • 90'

    Extra time is underway!

  • 94'

    Full time, nothing separates them between the first 90, 30 additional to come.

  • 92'

    Drogheda make their first change. Adam Foley replaces Dayle Rooney.

  • 90'

    Four additional minutes at the end of the 90. ET potentially to follow...

  • 89'

    Ferizaj produces another McCabe save. Man of the match for me thus far.

  • 82'

    Well inside the final ten here and still everything to play for. Rovers looking for an incredible domestic treble alongside European success but it really is do or die for Drogs. The beauty of the cup.

  • 74'

    Rovers building momentum now and have been the better team since the goal.

  • 70'

    Rovers changes saw Emakhu and Ferizaj come in to try make a difference. Gannon and Greene made way.

  • 63'

    Watts produces another save from McCabe as Rovers begin to wake up.

  • 59'

    Drogheda United have equalised! Ex Rovers man Dean Williams smashed home from close range just before the hour mark.

  • 56'

    Gaffney drags another effort just wide of McCabe's post.

  • 53'

    Drogheda United starting the better of the sides in the second half.

  • 51'

    Rooney stands over the free kick from 25 yards out but smashes well over.

  • 49'

    Lee Grace picks up Rovers second booking for a cynical foul.

  • 46'

    Both teams are back on the pitch as we get set for the second half. All to play for still.

  • 46'

    Half-time in Drogheda, Rovers have a narrow lead. Drogheda will be happy it is just one at the break after a poor start but all to play for in the second 45.

  • 45'

    Lots of play through the middle third as the half comes to a close. Referee beginning to let the game flow too.

  • 39'

    Gaffney flashes a shot to the right and wide off his left foot. Looks threatening as ever.

  • 36'

    Sean Hoare commits an innocuous foul but his reaction gets him in the book.

  • 29'

    Gaffney fires over from about 12 yards with all the space, very surprising from a player of his quality from a grade A chance.

  • 24'

    Drogheda get their first chance of the game, Markey headed over from a corner. He had worked space to be fair but his height didn\'t do him any justice.

  • 15'

    Rory Gaffney has been absolutely everywhere so far, terrorising the Drogs back line.

  • 13'

    Byrne produces another save from McCabe, Jack Byrne showing all his quality with close control to work space for the shot on target.

  • 9'

    McCabe keeps Rovers out once more after the home side switched off at the back again.

  • 8'

    Poor start from the home side with Rovers fully on top since the goal. United have to make sure the game doesn't fall out of reach quickly here.

  • 4'

    GOAL! Gannon gives Rovers the lead after Gaffney made McCabe produce a fantastic save but Drogs couldn\'t clear

  • 3'

    Jack Byrne standing over an early Rovers free kick, great to see him back in the Starting XI

  • 1'

    Action is underway in Drogheda!

  • Teams are out and we are set for a fantastic affair here.

  • Drogheda looking to get back to the final for the first time since 2013, with many of the Rovers squad involved in 2019 when they were last victorious in this competition.

  • Approaching kick-off in an overcast Head In The Game Park in Drogheda as both teams warm up.

  • Both teams are in full and available in the lineups tab just one click over. Rovers give Leon Pohls a start between the sticks with Alan Mannus getting a rest.

  • My name is Sam Mansfield and i'll be keeping you up to date with all the action over the next couple of hours. Drogheda do not like to lose at home so this could be a cracker.

  • Welcome to the eighth and final match from a thrilling FAI Cup weekend. The action isn't over yet as we have Uefa Conference League participants Shamrock Rovers taking on Drogheda United with kickoff in about 40 minutes.

Past Meetings

(Round 25)
1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Drogheda United

(Round 17)
1 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers

(Round 3)
3 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United

(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

Weavers Park
United Park, Cross Lane, Fair Gate, The Borough District of Drogheda, County Louth, Leinster, A92DKR0, Ireland

26-year-old TV, Radio, and New Media graduate from MTU Kerry based in the Kingdom with a passion for a variety of sports.