Shamrock Rovers pile on pain for devastated Drogheda as Kevin Doherty rages at ref
Kevin Doherty admitted he needed to have a very difficult conversation with his players before the game, as they digested the pain of their European dream dying without kicking a ball.
When George Cooper put the underdogs ahead in the fourth minute, it looked to be paving the way for one of those surprises that happens when a team is powered by an unpredictable level of emotion.
But for the second time in the space of a few hours, all involved with Drogheda found that sentiment couldn't deliver the outcome they wanted.
Reality was delivered by the inevitability of a superior Rovers side – who may benefit from Drogheda's Euro exit by securing a first-round bye – breaking down their hosts to go nine clear at the top.
While the better team won, there was controversy in how they got there. After entering the game fuelled by feelings of injustice, the Drogheda camp headed for the dressing room at the break with the same sentiment for entirely different reasons.
From their perspective, the turning point of this match was the decision of referee Neil Doyle – on the guidance of assistant Emmet Dynan – to call a handball on Andrew Quinn after Luke Dennison collected a hopeful ball over the top ahead of Graham Burke. A replay hinted at a change of direction when Quinn stuck out his hand, yet another angle would be necessary to remove all doubt around the judgment and the intentions.
Still, it wasn't a penalty and Burke had work to do with his free-kick. Dennison had earlier made a brilliant save from Trevor Clarke, but will be disappointed that he allowed the striker to curl the ball into the obvious corner. There was relief in the Rovers celebrations as the Drogs would have appreciated the chance to regroup.
They had burst out of the blocks, and took an early lead to lift the spirits when Cooper rose highest to dispatch a Shane Farrell corner. Naturally they had to survive nervous moments in the aftermath and Rovers enjoyed territorial domination in response that suggested a leveller was imminent.
However, Drogheda became a little more confident as the break approached and Farrell did force a stop from Ed McGinty that functioned as a welcome change of momentum. With the half-time whistle an attainable target, the manner of the concession stung. Rovers continued to own the ball from the restart, albeit without banging the door down.
The loss of Darragh Markey to injury was a blow for the locals, whereas Bradley was able to showcase the depth off his bench with Danny Mandroiu a half-time sub and Jack Byrne and Michael Noonan following at the midpoint of the half.
Rovers felt comfortable enough to allow Matt Healy drop back into the defensive three with Byrne trusted in a deep midfield role and Burke allowed to roam and do his thing.
It was a gamble designed to go and win the match and while Drogheda did break out on occasion, with Quinn embarking on two powerful bursts from deep, they didn't really have the numbers or the nous to capitalise. They looked most threatening when they got bodies into the box for throws and set-pieces, yet they weren't able to create enough of those opportunities.
Still, the frustration for Doherty will be the manner of the decisive moment. His players were on the edge of their box, in a reasonable position to defend as Rovers patiently passed the ball from side to side. In an instant, Byrne spotted Mandroiu who swivelled and passed to Greene who slipped away from a static defence before finishing clinically. For Drogheda, this would be a day without mercy.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Dennison, Cooper (Harper-Bailey 72), Keeley, Quinn; Cruise, Heeney, Farrell, Kane; Markey (Brennan 57); Oluwa, James-Taylor (Davis 66).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty, Grace, Lopes, O'Sullivan (Byrne 68); Honohan, Healy, Watts (Noonan 68), Clarke (Grant 76); Nugent (Mandroiu 45), Burke (Cleary 79); Greene.
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