Anto Flood bagged a brace as an improving Galway United outfit claimed a Terryland Park win.
Galway, in the middle of a run of three home fixtures on the spin, sought to summon a response following a lacklustre loss to Dundalk at Monday, and that is precisely what they did.
Drogheda’s recent displays have brought a drop of encouragement, and the Boynesiders hit the west intent on testing a young Galway outfit.
But the visitors were rocked in the second minute as Galway quickly seized the initiative, taking a second minute lead courtesy of a smashing Anto Flood strike.
Seamus Conneely started the move when bursting forward from deep, and found Karl Sheppard, the ball then fell favourably for Flood who curled an unstoppable volley around Paul Murphy.
The Tribesmen were in the ascendancy as Drogheda struggled to curb the midfield influence of Stephen O’Donnell.
Most of the first half took place in the Drogheda half of the pitch, and a second Galway goal was bagged in the 24th minute.
A short O’Donnell corner ensured Bobby Ryan was able to cross into a crowded area, and a deflected Rhys Meynell effort steered Galway two ahead.
In the 44th minute Flood came within a whisker of heading a third when connecting with a Ryan corner, but the ball went narrowly wide.
Drogheda’s only chance of the opening period followed, but Gareth O’Connor was unable to direct a 20-yard snap-shot on target.
In the 51st minute Sheppard’s incisive run was followed by a precise pass, and Flood‘s finish was equally exact.
Then Drogheda’s Eric McGill was sent off for a second yellow card following a 53rd minute foul on Galway talisman O’Donnell.
Though reduced to 10 men, Drogheda continued to battle, and a 56th minute Corey Tracey header put them back in contention.
But Galway were never troubled thereafter, and might even have increased their advantage in the closing stages, but an effort from the pacey Sheppard went narrowly wide.
Galway United: Barry Ryan; Conneely, Synott, McKenzie, Meynell; Bobby Ryan (O‘Brien, 62), Foley, O’Donnell, Creaney; Flood (Molloy, 81), Sheppard.
Drogheda United: Murphy; King, Treacy, McNally, Kendrick; Daly (Brennan, 22, Harris, 84), E McGill, O’Connor, B McGill; Duffy (Smith, 71), Flood.
Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).
