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Ryan Brennan bags brace as Drogheda United fightback foils Shelbourne

Updated / Friday, 12 Aug 2022 22:36
Ryan Brennan scored the hosts' first and third goals
Ryan Brennan scored the hosts' first and third goals

Ryan Brennan showed Damien Duff exactly what he was missing with a two-goal display as Drogheda United put a halt to Shelbourne's momentum.

Dayle Rooney, like Brennan a player who turned out for Shels last season, also netted and set up both of his team-mate's goals in a memorable comeback win for the hosts.

Jack Moylan had handed the visitors an early lead but it was to prove a false dawn with the Reds’ three-match winning sequence coming to an end. For Drogheda, there is now even more space between them and the bottom two which should end fears of a late season collapse.

At kick-off, Shels were the only team that United had failed to take a point from in Premier Division action this season. United have beaten Dundalk twice and taken four points from champions Shamrock Rovers but a failure to defeat either of the league’s bottom two this month had manager Kevin Doherty reminding supporters that nothing could be taken for granted.

The hosts kicked off in their change strip of black and red. After Shels arrived with their white and sky blue away kit in two, it was deemed that the Drogs would be unable to turn out in their familiar claret-and-blue combination.

Doherty made four changes to the team slumped to defeat against Finn Harps in Ballybofey last week. Keith Cowan, Dylan Grimes, Ryan Brennan and Dean Williams were introduced, while attacker Adam Foley was missing for the hosts.

Following the postponement of their clash with a stranded St Patrick's Athletic last week, Shels hadn’t played in two weeks since their FAI Cup victory over Bray Wanderers. Summer signing Matty Smith was handed a first start for his new club with Josh Giurgu making way.

Rooney’s goal was a thing of beauty but first Drogheda had to claw back Shels’ early lead. Moylan created it himself, winning the ball from Georgie Poynton in central midfield. He raced through and finished superbly with the outside of his boot, leaving Colin McCabe beaten.

United betrayed a real nervousness in a slack opening 15 minutes but once that was behind them, they dominated from start to finish in truth. Shels defended resolutely against anything thrown at them.

The Drogs were level when the impressive Rooney crossed low for Brennan. In space, he calmly slotted in. Pre-match, Duff had talked up the prospect of Drogheda’s ex-Shels contingent having something to prove.

It was fitting that Rooney and Brennan were the game’s best players and matchwinners. Ten minutes after the restart, United were in front. The ball was worked from the left. Rooney’s first shot was blocked, the ball looped into the air, and watching all the way, Rooney unleashed a volley upon its return to ground. It dipped and flew past Brendan Clarke.

Brennan’s second was another volley. Rooney made it and the technique deployed by the local hero at the back post was no less impressive. He was enjoying his evening, as demonstrated by a verbal exchange with Duff late on. The Shels boss wasn’t keen on getting involved.

An incident involving the fourth official Rob Hennessy marred things. He was allegedly spat at as the game neared its conclusion.

Drogheda United: Colin McCabe; Georgie Poynton, Andrew Quinn, Keith Cowan (Dane Massey 87), Evan Weir; Gary Deegan; Dylan Grimes (Darragh Nugent 73), Darragh Markey, Ryan Brennan, Dayle Rooney; Dean Williams.

Shelbourne: Brendan Clarke; Shane Griffin, Luke Byrne, Kameron Ledwidge; Shane Farrell, Gavin Molloy, JJ Lunney (Brian McManus 59), Conor Kane (Josh Giurgi 69); Jack Moylan (Dan Carr 69); Sean Boyd (John Ross Wilson 17), Matty Smith.

Referee: John McLoughlin.

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