Drogheda United beat Shamrock Rovers 3-1 in the EA Sports Cup Final

By Eoin Harmon

Drogheda United returned to their scintillating best, on Saturday, as they
dispatched a wobbly Shamrock Rovers to win the EA Sports Cup Final
3-1.

The final was technically a home game for the Hoops as it was held in
their Tallaght stomping ground, but Mick Cooke’s claret and blue army
plundered the Dublin venue and took the silverware home to Louth.

Rovers’ new Director of Football Brian Laws was in the dugout, but he
was unable to prevent a shameful first 45 minutes for his team.

The first half hour was a cagey affair with only one or two chances each way.
The breakthrough came when a quick corner and cross from Gavin Brennan
was allowed to bounce into the Rovers’ six yard box. Declan ‘Fabio’
O’Brien was first to react by leaping to slice the ball off his laces
and into the net.

Kerrea Gilbert, an ex-Arsenal youth, was in the wrong place at the
wrong time once more. He deflected the ball into his own net on 43
minutes whilst trying to clear another corner.

The highly expectant Rovers support showed their wrath with a chorus
of boos and hisses at the half-time interval, dismayed at how times
have changed for them.

Brian Laws’ team-talk looked ineffectual as Drogheda continued to
tease chances early on in the second half.

That was until Killian Brennan of the Brennan quartet stepped up and
unleashed a top drawer free-kick in the 59th minute.

However, his three brothers representing the Drogs got their own back
moments later; Ryan’s cross was poorly cleared and Eric Foley’s shot
ricocheted past Jansson.

Any hope of a comeback was ruined when Conor Powell saw red for a
professional foul with 20 minutes to go.

Drogheda were able to wind down the clock and solidify their great
season in the Airtriticy League with their second EA Sports Cup win.