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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Day to forget for Drogheda United as Shamrock Rovers rub salt into the wound after CAS appeal verdict
DROGHEDA UNITED felt they never got a rub of the Greene - as their Conference League expulsion was followed by defeat to Shamrock Rovers. Aaron Greene was the Hoops match winner as the league leaders came from behind to see off the dogged Drogs and extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points. But Kevin Doherty's Drogheda United just felt it was a day where nothing would go their way. Their appeal against UEFA's decision to deny them Conference League entry under the multi-club owner rule And they were then aggrieved by a big decision going against them that gave Rovers' their equaliser just four minutes before half-time. It happened when Dylan Watts' ball drifted through to Luke Dennison just before Graham Burke arrived only, for the referee to then give a handball against Andrew Quinn. Read More On Irish Football It was given by assistant referee Emmett Dynan - and Hoops' fans who had the same view as he did were adamant it was handball - though no one on the pitch argued for it. Yet when the Drogs had retreated ten yards and Burke had curled the ball around the wall and just inside Dennison's right-hand post. It meant the Drogs were upset for the second time of the evening even as they came to terms with the confirmation that they will not be in the Conference League. Never before had the Drogs pre-match song 'Don't worry be happy' been so appropriate, as the crowd got into it with the first 'Drogheda 'til I die' coming' in the third minute. Most read in Football And they took the lead in the fourth. A high corner from the left by Shane Farrell was met by a towering George Cooper as he climbed above Josh Honohan and Cory O'Sullivan to head powerfully into the net. Chelsea launch Club World Cup campaign with 2-0 victory over LAFC in Atlanta But that was as good as it got for the home side as the Hoops seized control after that and rarely even let them out of their own half. The could have equalised a minute later only to be denied three times. Honohan's cross from the right found Trevor Clarke rushing in from the left but his volley was brilliantly palmed away by Luke Dennison. There were then two more chances as Burke's follow-up was blocked by Quinn and Watts shot straight at Dennison. 1 Aaron Greene's strike in the 74th minute secured the 2-1 away win But for the most part, Rovers' could not find a way through the massed ranks of claret and blue with Quinn especially seeming to get his head to everything. And, there was always a risk that the Drogs could conjure something from a set-piece or on the break, with Farrell forcing Ed McGinty into a flying save on 31 minutes. But Burke's goal four minutes before half-time left the Drogs feeling aggrieved and saw gaffer Kevin Doherty booked for his protests. HOOPS FRUSTRATION Not that the Hoops were any happier with referee Neil Doyle, who walked off the pitch at half time escorted by Rovers' Stephen Bradley and Glenn Cronin, and Drogs No. 2 Daire Doyle. The visitors were further incensed when he failed to award a free when Cooper took down substitute Michael Noonan when he would have been through on goal on 70 minutes. But by then, the game had slipped into the same pattern as the first half with Rovers pressing and Drogheda looking for breakaways. The hosts had half chances with Quinn twice leading the charge out, but the Hoops' bench press - Noonan, Jack Byrne and Danny Mandroiu came on - made the difference. And they did unpick the Drogs lock 16 minutes from time when Byrne fed Danny Mandrou on the edge of the area and his first time pass slipped Greene in to coolly finish. The Drogs did push for an equaliser and Warren Davis headed over while Byrne came close to wrapping it up for Rovers with a curling effort. But the hosts were again aggrieved in injury time as goalkeeping coach Aaron Shanahan was sent off for his protests over a call going against the Drogs. Sun Star Man - Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers) Drogheda United: Dennison 6; Cooper 7 (Harper-Bailey 71, 6), Keeley 7, Quinn 7; Cruise 6, Heeney 6, Farrell 7, Kane 7; Markey 5 (Brennan 56); James-Taylor 5 (Davis 65, 6), Oluwa 5. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty 7; Grace 7, Lopes 7, C O'Sullivan 7 (Byrne 65, 7); Honohan 7, Watts 7 (Noonan 65, 6), Healy 7, Clarke 7 (Grant 76, 6); Nugent 5 (Mandroiu 7, ht), Burke 7 (Cleary 79, 6), Greene 7. Referee: N Doyle (Dublin) 4.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
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.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Drogheda United's day of woe continues against Shamrock Rovers
Drogheda United had a day to forget on and off the pitch as they lost 2-1 to Shamrock Rovers at home. Just hours after the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed their appeal to overturn UEFA'S decision to expel them from the UEFA Conference League due to multi-club ownership regulations, this defeat left them clinging onto a top-three spot in the Premier Division. Goals from Grahm Burke and Aaron Greene – neither strangers to finding the net against the Drogs – won the game for in-form Rovers, who have a nine-point lead at the summit now. On an evening at Sullivan and Lambe Park that had a very peculiar feel to it, Drogheda could not find a result to salve their European pain. Kevin Doherty was without both Elicha Ahui and Owen Lambe so Kieran Cruise – formerly of Rovers – made his full league debut. Ryan Brennan and Warren Davis were left out as the Drogs shuffled their pack on an emotive evening. Stephen Bradley went even further, making seven changes from their victory over champions Shelbourne on Friday that maintained their six-point lead at the summit. With only Adam Matthews absent through injury, the Rovers boss enjoys a luxury in squad depth no other side in the country can compete with. Lee Grace, Dylan Watts and Burke were among the frontline players brought back into the starting XI. Neil Doyle got the game underway a little over two hours after it was confirmed that Drogheda would not take their place in Wednesday's draw for the second qualifying round in Nyon. Club officials were due to fly to Switzerland to attend the draw at UEFA HQ but those plans, and those of United supporters planning to follow their team on the continent next month, have been curtailed. The club statement issued on Monday afternoon struck tones both apologetic and defiant. There was no sense that the Drogs were feeling sorry for themselves in the early stages of the match. Roared on by a home crowd who sang and cheered with gusto, including a chant cursing European football's governing body, they began like a team hellbent on showing they could compete with a team like Rovers who qualified for the Conference League knockout stages last season. George Cooper scored his first Drogs goal inside four minutes, rising high to meet Shane Farrell's corner and plant a header into the net. He left marker Joshua Honohan on the ground en route to connecting with the delivery. The hosts were putting their bodies on the line at the other end too. A series of well-timed defensive headers and blocks denied Rovers an immediate route back into the game. Luke Dennison made a fine save from Trevor Clarke before Burke and Watts had sights of goal too. Farrell and Douglas James-Taylor went mightily close to another Drogs goal but Ed McGinty saved from both, either side of Burke's leveller. Andy Quinn was penalised for handball – well spotted by assistant referee Emmett Dynan – and Burke drove a free-kick through the wall and into the bottom corner. Roversw were deserving of their equaliser as they asked plenty of questions of the Drogheda defence. Those were all answered until the 73rd minute when Greene found the winner. A well-worked Hoops move ended in Danny Mandroiu feeding the striker and he beat the offside trap and then Dennison from 12 yards. Only Warren Davis' header late on was close to restoring parity. Drogheda assistant Daire Doyle and goalkeeping coach Aaron Shanahan were red carded in injury time as tempers flared on the sideline. Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; George Cooper (Aaron Harper-Bailey, 71), Conor Keeley, Andrew Quinn; Kieran Cruise, Luke Heeney, Shane Farrell, Conor Kane; Darragh Markey (Ryan Brennan, 56); Douglas James-Taylor (Warren Davis, 66), Thomas Oluwa. Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Joshua Honohan; Cory O'Sullivan (Jack Byrne, 66), Matthew Healy, Darragh Nugent (Danny Mandroiu, 46), Dylan Watts (Michael Noonan, 67), Trevor Clarke; Graham Burke (Daniel Cleary, 79), Aaron Greene.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Drogheda out of Europe after appeal to CAS fails
Drogheda United won't be involved in this week's Uefa Conference League draw after the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The FAI Cup champions were due to embark on their first European campaign since 2013, straight into Wednesday's second round draw as Cup winners, until issues arose around the control of their owners Trivela Group. Uefa rules debar clubs with the same owners facing each other for sporting integrity purposes and an obstacle arose due to Trivela's latest addition, Silkeborg IK recently qualifying for the competition from the Danish league. Trivela holds the full 100% stake in Drogs and 80% shareholding in Silkeborg. Today's hearing in Switzerland lasted five hours but ultimately ended in disappointment - Drogs becoming the first team eliminated for such reasons. Drogheda's appeal centred on alleged communications failures from Uefa. Up to this year, multi-club motherships had until June 1 to restructure in order to comply with regulations, allowing outfits such as Aston Villa, Manchester United and Manchester City to avoid complications for sister clubs. This deadline was changed to March but Trivela contend they received no direct correspondence flagging the shorter window whereas others did. Workarounds such as blind trusts can be established to assuage the European governing body but this avenue was closed to Drogs due to the new time constraints. Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor is in the process of divesting his 25% share due to his ownership of French club Lyon due to the two involved in the Europa League. As well as the prestige of European exposure, Drogheda stood to lose the €525,000 in prize-money guaranteed to second round participants. Ireland will only have three participants as it was too late for a replacement to acquire a Uefa license. Shelbourne will learn their Champions League first round opponents on Tuesday.
Irish Examiner
05-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Drogheda confident of claiming Euro place despite uncertainty
Uncertainty over Drogheda United's place in the Uefa Conference League hasn't affected their players, according to assistant manager Daire Doyle. A first-ever FAI Cup success for the Louth club last November was decorated by qualification directly into the second round of Europe's third competition at the second round stage. That guaranteed minimum €525,000 windfall in prize-money and their participation in the draw on June 18 is in jeopardy due to rules around multi-club ownership. Uefa forbid clubs with the same owners facing each other in competition for sporting integrity purposes and the latest club in the stable of Trivela, Silkeborg IK, also recently qualified from the Danish league. Crystal Palace are facing similar obstacles due to John Textor's stakes in Lyon and the American is prepared to sell his 25% shareholding to facilitate the first foray into Europe for the FAI Cup holders. That isn't so simple in the case of Drogs, who are 100% owned by the American investors. They recently purchased 80% of Silkeborg IK, outlining the difficulty of divestment. 'I'm confident we'll be in the draw and get to play in Europe because the club deserves it,' said Kevin Doherty's assistant Doyle. 'I know club officials travelled to Uefa and they have proposed a solution. We're all hoping for a positive outcome. 'If something was to happen all of sudden, to be honest it could be up in the air. We'll have to deal with that if it arises over the next week but I'm confident.' Doyle was speaking at the draw for the second round of the FAI Cup, which pits the holders against non-league Crumlin United. A yearly improvement in Ireland's European coefficient means this year's winners will enter the Europa League, guaranteeing a backdoor into the Conference and a minimum prize pot of €700,000. Drogs are currently second behind Shamrock Rovers at the midway point but Doyle admits the new Cup bonus makes it most favourable. 'I suppose it is because the league runner-up only qualifies for the Conference,' he admitted. Meanwhile, Cork City will face non-league Leicester Celtic – one of Damien Duff's former clubs - in the second round to be played on the weekend of July 20. Newly crowned FAI senior player of the year Robbie Brady helped conduct the draw and pulled out a Premier Division tie for the St Mochta's team his brother Liam is part of. Fresh from winning the Leinster Senior League on Wednesday night, they will travel to face Waterford. Munster Senior League outfit University College Cork are also on the road, taking on 2023 winners St Patrick's Athletic. Cobh Ramblers make the trip to Leinster Senior League opposition in Bangor Celtic, as do Bohemians against Killester/Donnycarney. The final will take at Lansdowne Road on November 9. In the Women's FAI Cup, holders Shelbourne face a tricky tie against Galway United while there's another top-flight clash between Cork City and Peamount United. Men's FAI Cup draw: Shamrock Rovers v Wexford FC Dundalk v Sligo Rovers Fairview Rangers v Shelbourne Kerry FC v Athlone Town. Cork City v Leicester Celtic. Finn Harps v UCD. St Patrick's Athletic v University College Cork. Salthill Devon v St Michael's Tipperary. Galway United v Tolka Rovers. Bray Wanderers v Wayside Celtic. Bangor Celtic v Cobh Ramblers. Castlebar Celtic v Longford Town. Killester Donnycarney v Bohemians. Waterford v St Mochta's. Treaty United v Derry City. Drogheda United v Crumlin United. Women's FAI Cup first round draw: Wexford v Bohemians Cork City v Peamount United Treaty United v Ferns United Newbridge Town v Whitehall Rangers Shelbourne v Galway United Athlone Town v Terenure Rangers Shamrock Rovers v Waterford Sligo Rovers v DLR Waves Ties to be held the week-ending June 29
