Shelbourne put the brakes on Drogheda’s surging start to the season as goals from Stuart Byrne and Gary O’Neill - his fourth goal in successive games - ended the leaders' unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory.
Shels were superb from the start and never allowed Drogheda into the game with the only surprise at half-time being that they weren’t more than one goal to the good.
Colin Hawkins brought a tip over save from Dan Connor before shooting wide of an open goal, both from Alan Moore's deliveries, before finally taking the lead on 12 minutes when the negligently marked Stuart Byrne got behind Jason Gavin to head home Moore’s free-kick.
There was a big improvement from Drogheda after the break as they chased the game hard with former Shels winger James keddy bringing a terrific tip-over save from Dean Delaney on 54 minutes.
Shels sealed their win on 72 minutes, however, when O’Neill was left unattended to get a delightful glancing header to Liam Kearney’s cross to find the bottom right-hand corner of Connor’s net.
Drogheda skipper Declan O’Brien provided a grandstand finish when tapping home Glen Fitzpatrick’s cross on 89 minutes.
But Delaney then made a diving stop to keep out Keith Fahey’s stinging drive in stoppage time as Shels held out for a big win.
Shelbourne: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Dillon, Rogers; Kearney, S. Byrne, Moore (Reynolds, 90 mins.), Cahill; O’Neill, J. Byrne (Crowe, 87 mins.).
Drogheda United: Connor; Shelley, Gavin, Gartland, Webb (Lynch 79 mins. 79 mins.); Robinson, Bradley, Keegan (Fahey, 57 mins.), Keddy; O’Brien, Leech (Fitzpatrick, 52 mins.).
Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin).
