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Ed McGinty heroics dethrone Drogheda United as Shamrock Rovers reach FAI Cup semis

Updated / Friday, 12 Sep 2025 23:41

Shamrock Rovers' pursuit of a league and cup double remains alive after goalkeeper Ed McGinty saved three penalties in a dramatic shootout victory over FAI Cup holders Drogheda United in the quarter-finals.

Andrew Quinn's stunning 95th minute overhead kick levelled the game, cancelling out Graham Burke’s first half opener. It certainly stunned Stephen Bradley’s team and almost left their double hopes in tatters.

Extra-time brought no winner, so to penalties. McGinty saved from Conor Keeley and Darragh Markey before denying youngster Dare Kareem in sudden death. He had done that before and Rovers supporters adore him for it.

Owing to the international break, neither side had played since their league meeting at Tallaght Stadium at the end of last month – if you discount Drogheda’s Leinster Senior Cup defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic in which Kevin Doherty changed his entire XI.

This was the meeting of the cup holders against the team who has won the FAI Cup more than twice than any other side. That said, despite Rovers league dominance and European achievements of late, their penalty shootout victory over Dundalk in 2019 remains their only success in this competition in the last 38 years.

Drogheda have developed their home ground into something of a fortress in recent years but Rovers have been able to take it by storm where others routinely fail. They won both of their trips to the Windmill Road ground in the league this year and did the same in 2024.

Burke’s early shot was straight at Luke Dennison and Josh Thomas made a better first of working the goalkeeper at the other end shortly after. On the turn, his low effort had Ed McGinty sprawling to keep it out.

Burke would soon find a finish for his 11th career goal against Drogheda. Against no other club has the three-time capped Republic of Ireland international scored more.

Rovers moved the ball around menacingly in the Drogheda half with Dylan Watts, Josh Honohan and Danny Mandroiu all involved. The latter found Burke’s diagonal penalty box run, but only after Ryan Brennan’s untimely slip allowed the attacker to run free.

Burke’s low effort flashed across goal and found the bottom corner.

Bradley could consider his team fortunate to retain their full quota shortly before half-time. Mandroiu cynically cut down Conor Kane as the Drogs looked to mount a quick counter-attack. The challenge was late, high and the ball was not in the vicinity.

Referee Neil Doyle deemed it worthy only of a booking, prompting a furious reaction from Doherty. He and assistant Daire Doyle were carded for their arguments.

The early stages of the second half was certainly less noteworthy in terms of incident. Rovers introduced Michael Noonan, the 17-year-old fresh from becoming the Republic of Ireland Under 21s youngest ever scorer just 72 hours earlier.

It sprang to life once more when Drogheda came close to a deserved leveller. Kane’s drive at goal took a sizeable deflection, forcing McGinty to parry the ball to safety. United recycled it and in quick succession, Keeley and Quinn had efforts blocked by Mandroiu and Healy.

When Keeley’s 90th minute volley was kept out by a superb McGinty save, the game appeared up but Quinn’s overhead kick sent the home supporters delirious and the players into 30 more minutes.

Keeley was again Drogheda’s main threat in extra time. His header flashed past the post with the Rovers stopper moving hurriedly but in vain to keep it out. There was no goal but the penalties brought drama aplenty.

Luke Dennison saved from Michael Noonan and Dan Cleary blazed over but the American couldn’t match McGinty’s heroics. His save from Kareem brought an end to a long night.

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; James Bolger (Dare Kareem 75), Conor Keeley, Andrew Quinn; Owen Lambe, Ryan Brennan (Paul Doyle, 55), Luke Heeney (Shane Farrell, 61), Conor Kane; Darragh Markey; Warren Davis (George Cooper, 97), Josh Thomas (Jack Stretton, 61, Thomas Oluwa, 90)).

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Danny Grant, Dylan Watts (Aaron McEneff, 90+2), Matthew Healy (Darragh Nugent, 90+2), Joshua Honohan; Danny Mandroiu (Aaron McEneff, 75); Graham Burke (Aaron Greene, 75 (John McGovern, 117)), Rory Gaffney (Michael Noonan, 59).

Referee: Neil Doyle

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