Shamrock Rovers moved two points clear of Bohemians at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division table with this win over ten-man Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium.
Rovers went ahead after just six minutes when Dessie Baker took advantage of slack Drogs defending to slam a low drive past Drogs goalkeeper Paul Skinner.
Drogs’ task was made harder on 23 minutes when Conor Kenna was dismissed for fouling Graham Barrett.
Drogs had started with a 4-5-1 formation and switched to 4-4-1 after Kenna’s dismissal, but found it hard to create chances.
Sean O’Connor had a chance to double Rovers’ lead on 27 but Skinner did well to block the effort with his legs. Skinner was again on top form to deny Barrett on 32.
Rovers were in full control and Skinner could do nothing about the second goal on 44. Barrett’s cracking low shot from inside the area into the corner of the net put Rovers further ahead after Baker had played him in.
Paul Crowley had an early second half chance for Drogs while Stephen Rice headed wide for Rovers on 58. Skinner then tipped Sean O’Connor’s dipping ball over the bar on 70 while seconds later O’Connor curled a shot wide of Skinner’s right hand post.
Barrett went close to netting his second of the night on 80 minutes but with Skinner beaten the ball grazed the crossbar.
Rovers march on while Drogs remain second from bottom, two points ahead of basement side Bray Wanderers.
Shamrock Rovers: 23 Alan Mannus; 19 Pat Sullivan, 5 Aidan Price, 6 Craig Sives, 14 Ollie Cahill; 7 Shane Robinson, 8 Stephen Rice (3 Ian Bermingham 60 mins), 10 Stephen Bradley, 11 Sean O’Connor (15 Scott Chisholm 72 mins); 18 Dessie Baker (24 Padraig Amond 69 mins), 22 Graham Barrett. Unused subs: 1 Barry Murphy, 17 Don Cowen. Booked: Sives 51 mins, Sullivan 63 mins.
Drogheda United: 1 Paul Skinner; 2 Scott Gibb, 3 Robbie Clarke, 4 Conor Kenna, 5 Alan McNally; 6 Paul Crowley, 7 Brendan McGill (12 Robbie Martin 67 mins), 8 Eric McGill (13 Ian Ryan 80 mins), 9 Jamie Duffy; 10 James Chambers, 11 Ross Gaynor. Unused subs: 20 Steve Williams, 14 Brian King, 15 Paul Shiels. Booked: E McGill 40 mins. Sent off: Kenna 23 mins.
Ref: D McKeown.
