Shelbourne see off Drogheda to edge closer to Premier Division title

On the weekend of their 100th anniversary at Tolka Park, Shelbourne could be Premier Division champions by Sunday evening after they saw off Drogheda United to close in on a first league crown since 2006.

Shelbourne were clinging on to top spot after one win in ten, but back to back wins when they needed them most mean they have one hand firmly on the trophy and could be champions if Shamrock Rovers drop points away to Dundalk on Sunday.

Goals from Sean Boyd and Rayhaan Tulloch have put Damien Duff's side four points clear of St Patrick’s Athletic who can no longer win the league themselves while they are five clear of both Derry and Shamrock Rovers.

This was the ideal scenario for Shels before kick off as Drogheda arrived with nothing to play for other than gaining minutes before the FAI Cup final and their playoff to preserve their Premier Division status.

The Drogs did play their part and substitute Bridel Bosakani halved the deficit in the 67th minute but the hosts held on before the crowd spilled out onto the pitch at full time as the title party got started earlier than anticipated.

Shelbourne put aside any nerves that had been lingering in their recent performances and attacked Drogheda who went through the motions in a one-sided first half.

After Liam Burt had missed the target twice in as many minutes, it took Shels just eleven minutes to open the scoring and even at this early stage it had been coming.

Shels hit the front

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A long clearance to the half-way line