Shamrock Rovers rediscover spark to hand Drogheda United a drubbing

Far below their usual high standards in last Friday's home draw with Galway United, Drogheda United felt the backlash from Shamrock Rovers who rediscovered their spark to record their biggest win of the season at Tallaght Stadium.

Goals late in the first half from Johnny Kenny and Aaron Greene finally gave substance to Rovers' supremacy.

The impressive Darragh Burns and defender Josh Honohan added two more after the interval as the champions moved back second in the table, two points behind Shelbourne.

With three changes from that tame showing three days ago, Rovers were noticeably more energetic and far sharper in their passing and showed intent from the start here, pinning Drogheda in their own half from the off.

Greene hit a post with Kenny shooting the rebound wide inside five minutes before Drogheda goalkeeper Jethren Barr made the first big save of the night, diving bravely at the feet of Kenny.

Barr was there again with a terrific save, denying Burns with his legs following a one-two with substitute Conan Noonan.

The overworked Drogheda defence was finally undone, not once, but twice, right at the end of the first half.

Kenny, as he did in salvaging a point on Friday, met Dylan Watts' fifth corner of the night to outmuscle Luke Heeney and power a header to the net right on 45 minutes.