Shamrock Rovers slip off summit as Drogheda United strike again

Drogheda United proved Shamrock Rovers' bogey side yet again as the champions were knocked off the top of the table in this classic smash-and-grab raid at Tallaght Stadium.

Rovers have now failed to beat Drogheda in their last five league meetings as a first win in eight games for Kevin Doherty’s side ruined Stephen Bradley’s 300th game in charge of the Hoops.

While ending Rovers' 13-match unbeaten run, the win keeps Drogheda five points above Cork City in the relegation play-off spot.

Though Rovers began on the front foot it was the visitors who had the first shot in anger just three minutes in.

Skipper Gary Deegan laid off Aaron McNally’s ball in from the left for Dayle Rooney to bring a comfortable save from Leon Pohls.

Rovers responded within two minutes, Graham Burke annoyed with himself for drilling wide from just outside the box following Neil Farrugia’s surging run.

Frantic defending then prevented Rovers taking the lead on 13 minutes.

Richie Towell threaded Farrugia through with Colin McCabe depriving the winger a 24th birthday goal with a parry save.

The danger remained as Rory Gaffney got to the loose ball only to see his effort brilliantly cleared off the line by Aaron McNally.

Rovers continued to dominate the ball as Drogheda worked tenaciously to contain them.

Further diligent defending frustrated Rovers just before the half hour. Jack Byrne and Towell carved the opening on the right to set up Burke, whose drive was deflected out for a corner off Conor Keeley.

A combination of Emmanuel Adegboyega and McCabe then kept out Trevor Clarke’s chip after Byrne’s audacious hooked through ball.

The pressure mounted as McCabe had to push a deflected Byrne shot round a post from Gaffney’s pull back.

The visitors had yet another