DROGHEDA UNITED BRUSHED aside an understrength Limerick side in a mid-table battle at Thomond Park.
In what was a very slow, disjointed opening twenty minutes, Drogheda were dominating the possession stakes without ever really threatening to take the lead.
The first real shot on goal arrived via the left boot of Rory Gaffney from forty yards. Challenging for a flick-on, Gaffney’s header ricocheted back into his path. He looked up and fired his half-volley just wide of the post.
Shane Duggan was next to try his luck. He smashed a hard, low effort goalwards. It was too hot from Schlingermann to handle, and he pushed it onto the post and behind for a corner.
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Drogheda were next to hit the woodwork – just past the half hour mark. A clever tee-up from Gary O’Neill found Cathal Brady in space. His venomous shot cannoned back off Ryan’s left-hand post.
The best chance of the half fell to hometown favourite Lee-J Lynch right on half time. The lively Jack Doherty jinked past a couple of Drogheda defenders before cleverly playing in the former Sligo Rovers midfielder. He was always reaching for it though – and his effort was tame.
The second half began in much the same fashion as the first. Drogheda bossed the exchanges and created a golden opportunity for Cathal Brady. He went one-on-one with Ryan but the 36-year old got down superbly to push wide.
Damien Richardson’s men were upping the ante – Michael Daly got in on the action – crossing for Gary O’Neill but the experienced striker could only glance wide of Ryan’s far post.
They would go on to break the deadlock on 63 minutes – although who the goalscorer was is certainly up for debate. A powerful Michael Daly effort deflected wildly off Gavan Holohan before looping over a stranded Barry Ryan.
If he was going to be denied the first, Holohan was on a mission to notch one of his own. Cathal Brady played him into space just three minutes after the opener and his powerful drive from close range doubled the Drogs’ advantage.
Cathal Brady added the third in the late stages with a well taken individual goal.
Limerick: Barry Ryan; Ian Turner, Tony Whitehead, Patrick Nzuzi, Shane O’Connor; Shane Duggan, Prince Agyemang (Shane Tracy, 71); Kieran Djilali (Ross Mann, 69), Lee-J Lynch, Jack Doherty; Rory Gaffney.
Subs not Used: Ali Abass, Conor Maguire, Colm Murphy, Jason Hughes, Tam McManus.
Drogheda United: Michael Schlingermann; Daire Doyle, Ciaran McGuigan, Alan McNaly, Shane Grimes; Cathal Brady, Gavan Holohan, Michael Daly (Paul Crowley, 86), Peter McGlynn; Garreth Brady (Adam Wixted, 73); Gary O’Neill (Declan O’Brien, 83).
Subs not Used: Dylan Connolly, Paul Andrews, Sean O’Connor, Roy Kierans.
Drogheda ease past Limerick at Thomond Park
Limerick 0-3 Drogheda United
DROGHEDA UNITED BRUSHED aside an understrength Limerick side in a mid-table battle at Thomond Park.
In what was a very slow, disjointed opening twenty minutes, Drogheda were dominating the possession stakes without ever really threatening to take the lead.
The first real shot on goal arrived via the left boot of Rory Gaffney from forty yards. Challenging for a flick-on, Gaffney’s header ricocheted back into his path. He looked up and fired his half-volley just wide of the post.
Shane Duggan was next to try his luck. He smashed a hard, low effort goalwards. It was too hot from Schlingermann to handle, and he pushed it onto the post and behind for a corner.
Drogheda were next to hit the woodwork – just past the half hour mark. A clever tee-up from Gary O’Neill found Cathal Brady in space. His venomous shot cannoned back off Ryan’s left-hand post.
The best chance of the half fell to hometown favourite Lee-J Lynch right on half time. The lively Jack Doherty jinked past a couple of Drogheda defenders before cleverly playing in the former Sligo Rovers midfielder. He was always reaching for it though – and his effort was tame.
The second half began in much the same fashion as the first. Drogheda bossed the exchanges and created a golden opportunity for Cathal Brady. He went one-on-one with Ryan but the 36-year old got down superbly to push wide.
Damien Richardson’s men were upping the ante – Michael Daly got in on the action – crossing for Gary O’Neill but the experienced striker could only glance wide of Ryan’s far post.
They would go on to break the deadlock on 63 minutes – although who the goalscorer was is certainly up for debate. A powerful Michael Daly effort deflected wildly off Gavan Holohan before looping over a stranded Barry Ryan.
If he was going to be denied the first, Holohan was on a mission to notch one of his own. Cathal Brady played him into space just three minutes after the opener and his powerful drive from close range doubled the Drogs’ advantage.
Cathal Brady added the third in the late stages with a well taken individual goal.
Limerick: Barry Ryan; Ian Turner, Tony Whitehead, Patrick Nzuzi, Shane O’Connor; Shane Duggan, Prince Agyemang (Shane Tracy, 71); Kieran Djilali (Ross Mann, 69), Lee-J Lynch, Jack Doherty; Rory Gaffney.
Subs not Used: Ali Abass, Conor Maguire, Colm Murphy, Jason Hughes, Tam McManus.
Drogheda United: Michael Schlingermann; Daire Doyle, Ciaran McGuigan, Alan McNaly, Shane Grimes; Cathal Brady, Gavan Holohan, Michael Daly (Paul Crowley, 86), Peter McGlynn; Garreth Brady (Adam Wixted, 73); Gary O’Neill (Declan O’Brien, 83).
Subs not Used: Dylan Connolly, Paul Andrews, Sean O’Connor, Roy Kierans.
Referee: R Matthews (Westmeath)
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All-Ireland Senior HC SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Second Half Show Drogheda United Limerick