Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United will have to do it all again after their 1-1 draw in the third round of the FAI Ford Cup.
After a lively opening start in Tallaght, the Hoops took a deserved lead with a stunning goal from Sean O’Connor in the seventh minute.
After he looked up and saw Drogheda goalkeeper Paul Skinner off his line, O’Connor hit an audacious lob from 30 yards out that sailed into the net to send the sizable home crowd into raptures.
However, Drogheda slowly forced their way into the game and should really have been level on 23 minutes when Gavin Whelan’s effort was cleared off the line by Darragh Maguire.
The visitors continued to press, with former Hoops Jamie Duffy a constant thorn in the Rovers defence. Indeed, Duffy went close on 35 minutes with only the quick reactions of goalkeeper Robert Duggan preventing him from a clear shot at goal.
Rovers top goalscorer Gary Twigg then took a leaf from O’Connor’s book, attempting a lob of his own but this time Skinner was awake to the threat and managed to tip the ball just over.
Drogheda continued to press and probe after the break and finally made the breakthrough on the hour mark. Rovers failed to deal with a lofted free-kick and Man of the Match Conor Kenna was on hand to head home the loose ball.
That goal roused Rovers into life and they took control of possession as they went in search of a winner, but Drogheda were able to frustrate the Tallaght side so much that Pat Flynn was shown the red card after he lashed out at Paul Shiels two minutes from time.
Shamrock Rovers: R Duggan, I Bermingham, C Treacy, D Maguire (P Flynn 75), C Sives, S Bradley (S Robinson 71), S Rice, G Cameron, S O'Connor, G Twigg, T Purcell.
Drogheda United: P Skinner, I Ryan, R Clarke, C Kenna, P Shiels, P Crowley, J Chambers, D O'Connor, G Whelan, J Duffy, B King.
Referee: D Tomney.
