Details

Date Time League Season
15 August 2021 3:00 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2021

Match Report

Greene delivers Rovers win

Shamrock Rovers went three points clear at the top of the Premier Division after their 1-0 win over Drogheda United at United Park, courtesy of Aaron Greene’s second half goal.

The league leaders are in pole position for the title as they have a game in hand on title rivals St Patricks Athletic.

Drogheda battled hard throughout but didn’t create enough chances across the 90 minutes to get into the game.

The loss continues their miserable run of form of five straight defeats, with United picking up just one win in their last 10 games.

Drogheda have been thrown into the relegation battle with the home side now sitting just five points above the drop zone.

Shamrock Rovers started the better of the two sides and created the game’s first opportunity inside five minutes, when Graham Burke forced an excellent save from David Odumosu.

Burke tested Odomosu again just before half time as he created some space inside the box with clever shifting of his feet and forced a fantastic save by the busy keeper.

Greene made the breakthrough after relentless pressure from the league leaders to score his fifth goal of the season.

Burke managed to get away from new signing Joe Redmond and fired a low cross across the face of goal picking out the striker, who drifted away unmarked to place the ball into an empty net.

Drogheda struggled to get into the contest, with the home side restricted to aimless long balls surrendering possession.

It took United until the 72nd minute to create a clear-cut chance as Killian Phillips’ header from a corner was cleared off the line by Chris McCann.

Drogheda players were furious when they were denied a penalty by referee Raymond Matthews, when it looked as if Sean Hoare had handled the ball in the area.

In the closing stages of the match, Shamrock Rovers took their foot of the gas and saw the game out comfortably. 

Drogheda Utd

23David Odumosu Goalkeeper
2James Browne Defender
3Conor Kane Defender
5Daniel O’Reilly Defender
8Gary Deegan Midfielder 49'
11Jake Hyland Midfielder
19Killian Phillips Midfielder
20Jordan Adeyemo 14 Forward
22James Clarke Midfielder
20Joe Redmond 17 Defender
41Dane Massey 10 Defender
1Colin McCabe Goalkeeper
7Darragh Markey Midfielder
10Dinny Corcoran 41 Forward
13Sam O’Brien Defender
14Mark Doyle 20 Forward
15Mohamed Boudiaf Defender
17Ronan Murray 20 Forward 68'
18Charles Mutawe Defender
21Luke Heeney Midfielder

Shamrock Rovers

1Alan Mannus Goalkeeper
2Sean Gannon Defender
3Sean Hoare Defender
4Roberto Lopes Defender
15Liam Scales Defender
11Sean Kavanagh Defender
17Richie Towell 16 Midfielder
26Chris McCann Midfielder
14Daniel Mandriou 20 Midfielder
10Graham Burke 7 Forward
9Aaron Greene Forward 55'
5Lee Grace Defender
7Dylan Watts 10 Midfielder
8Ronan Finn Midfielder
16Gary O’Neill 17 Midfielder
20Rory Gaffney 14 Forward
24Max Murphy Midfielder
25Leon Pohls Goalkeeper
28Joey O’Brien Defender
38Aidomo Emakhu Midfielder
  • 94'

    Full time: Drogheda United 0-1 Shamrock Rovers

  • 91'

    Shamrock Rovers win a corner and to no one's surprise they aren't in a rush to take it and have no one in the penalty area.

  • 90'

    The fourth official has indicated there will be a minimum of four additional minutes played.

  • 89'

    Greene has a shot across the face of goal but the effort flies well wide of the goal.

  • 85'

    Shamrock Rovers have taken their foot off the gas since the goal and are just looking to see this game out.

  • 82'

    Mark Doyle almost went through on goal but Sean Hoare does really well to read the play.

  • 80'

    Drogheda sub: Dinny Corcoran for Dane Massey

  • 77'

    Shamrock Rovers sub: Gary O’Neill replaces Richie Towell

  • 72'

    From the following corner, Phillips' header is cleared off the line by Chris McCann. The hosts are enjoying a great spell here!

  • 71'

    Drogheda players are furious as they are denied a penalty, when it looked as if Sean Hoare handled in the area.

  • 70'

    Shamrock Rovers sub: Rory Gaffney replaces Daniel Mandroiu

  • 68'

    Shamrock Rovers sub: Dylan Watts replaces Graham Burke

  • 68'

    Yellow card for Ronan Murray for a tackle a rugby player would be proud of, stopping the Shamrock Rovers attack.

  • 66'

    It's too easy for Shamrock Rovers as they go forward once more unchallenged and luckily for Drogheda Greene's shot is comfortably saved by Odomosa.

  • 64'

    Drogheda sub: Ronan Murray replaces Joe Redmond.

  • 62'

    Drogheda are struggling to make any impact on this game, with the home side restricted to aimless long balls surrendering possession.

  • 58'

    Burke has an audacious effort from the halfway line and almost lobs Odomosa.

  • 56'

    Drogheda sub: Jordan Adeyemo is replaced by Mark Doyle

  • 55'

    GOAL! Aaron Greene makes the breakthrough. Burke gets away from Redmond well and fires a cross across the face of goal and finds the striker who drifted away from Daniel O\'Reilly to score his fifth goal of the season.

  • 53'

    Richie Towell has a shot from just outside the box that is powerful but is straight at Odomosa, who holds on to the ball well.

  • 50'

    Graham Burke has a shot from 40 yards out that flies well over the crossbar.

  • 49'

    Gary Deegan is booked for a foul on McCann. His eighth yellow of the season.

  • 48'

    Burke plays a lovely ball to Greene but the striker's first touch is poor and goes out for a goal kick.

  • 46'

    Back underway in the second half.

  • 45'

    Half time: Drogheda United 0-0 Shamrock Rovers

  • 44'

    Great shot by Burke inside the box after he created some space by shifting his feet and forced a fantastic save by Odomosa, who pushes the ball away from the area.

  • 43'

    Jordan Adeyemo goes through on goal for the hosts but is ruled offside.

  • 40'

    Referee Raymond Matthews asserts his authority by telling the captains to sort their teams discipline out.

  • 36'

    New signing Redmond has put in an impressive defensive display for his new team, putting in numerous blocks and tackles.

  • 34'

    Free kick to Drogheda inside their own penalty area and they can achieve some much needed respite as they have faced an attacking onslaught from the league leaders in the opening 34 minutes.

  • 29'

    McCann has a shot from outside the box that just flies wide of the post. Odomosa was at full stretch just to be on the safe side.

  • 27'

    Aaron Greene was almost picked out in front of goal after great build up play from the Shamrock Rovers attack but Odomosu was quick off his line.

  • 22'

    The corner goes to the back post and Burke has a shot directly on the volley but new signing Redmond was on hand to block the shot. The following corner is held by Odomosu.

  • 20'

    Another corner for the visitors who have been much the better side.

  • 19'

    The corner comes to nothing and Drogheda clear their lines.

  • 18'

    Shamrock Rovers' early dominance is rewarded with a corner kick.

  • 12'

    Richie Towell has a shot on goal from distance that is straight at Odomosu.

  • 11'

    Sean Hoare makes a mazy run into the box but the final ball lets him down.

  • 10'

    Sean Gannon heads the ball away and Rovers look to build.

  • 9'

    Drogheda have a free kick in a threatening position to the left.

  • 8'

    Dangerous ball into the box by Gary Deegan but none of the Drogheda attackers are on the same page.

  • 5'

    Drogheda United already under the cosh as the league leaders are dominating possession and territory.

  • 4'

    Graham Burke turns nicely and has a shot on goal from outside the box that forces an excellent save by David Odumosu.

  • 3'

    Even start to proceedings, with both sides feeling each other out.

  • 1'

    We're underway.

  • The hosts come into this game off the back of a 3-0 away loss to Derry City, which inflicted Drogheda’s third consecutive loss.

  • Drogheda have enjoyed a steady season, lying in sixth place comfortably clear of the relegation places but have points to pick up themselves in order to achieve Europa League qualification.

  • The league leaders come into the game off the back of a 2-0 away victory over Albanian side Teuta in the semi-finals of Europa Conference League qualification, which led to a 3-0 aggregate win and progression to the final stage of qualification.

  • The visitors are top of the league on just goal difference after St Pats’ 2-1 victory over Waterford on Friday night. Although, Shamrock Rovers do have two games in hand on their title rivals but know today’s game is must win in order to alleviate pressure.

  • The weather in Drogheda is currently 16 degrees Celsius, with a 3% chance of rain, winds of eight mph and humidity levels of 85%.

  • Hello and welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of today's League of Ireland Premier Division matchup between Drogheda United and league leaders Shamrock Rovers.

Past Meetings

(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

I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.