Drogheda United boosted their hopes of qualifying for Europe by strolling to a 2-0 victory over Longford Town tonight, despite having captain Declan O’Brien dismissed.
Paul Keegan sent a half-volley whistling past the Longford post from Drogheda’s first attack, but it was the midlanders who almost snatched the lead with a quick counter-attack in the 13th minute.
Damien Brennan provided the through ball for Dave Mooney, who took the ball past the on-rushing Dan Connor and arrowed a low shot towards goal an acute angle. However, the Drogheda keeper got back to make a fine save at his near post.
Most of the first-half attacks were towards the opposite goal, however, and Shane Barrett almost scored against his old club with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Drogheda’s persistence paid off with the opening goal in the 26th minute, which owed a lot to the quick thinking of Keegan, whose quick free-kick released Steven Gray. The left-back’s inviting low cross to the near post was turned by Stephen Paisley into his own net.
The Boynesiders continued to dominate for the remainder of the half and Keegan almost added to their tally when he drilled his shot narrowly wide after side-stepping a couple of challenges.
Right-back Brian Shelley then saw his 25-yard shot deflected, and Longford keeper Shay Kelly had to scramble across his goal to palm the ball away to safety.
Drogheda couldn’t have anticipated striking so early in the second half, but there were just 50 seconds on the clock when Declan O’Brien’s cross was only parried by Kelly and Gavin Whelan pounced to stab the ball home from close range.
It should have been easy for the Boynesiders after that, but captain O’Brien threw a spanner in the works by receiving a second yellow card for a two-footed challenge on his former Drogheda team-mate David Freeman.
More than half an hour remained at that stage, but Longford seemed unable to raise their game and it was the home side who almost extended their lead when Barrett released Shane Robinson, whose shot flew inches wide.
Longford thought they had pulled a goal back ten minutes from time when Alan Kirby curled a free to the Drogheda net, but referee Buttimer had indicated an indirect free-kick and the effort was disallowed.
DROGHEDA UNITED – Connor, Gray, Gavin, Gartland, Robinson, Whelan, O’Brien, Fitzpatrick, Shelley, Keegan, Barrett.
LONGFORD TOWN – Kelly, Gough, Murphy, Paisley, Kirby, Baker, Prunty, Brennan, Mooney, Freeman, Cronin.
Subs: Drogheda – Zayed for Fitzpatrick 77min, Webb for Barrett 78min; Longford – Martin for Baker 67min
Referee – Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
