Shamrock Rovers

The Hoops laid siege to their hosts' goal but couldn't find the breakthrough, as goalkeeper Sam Long and his makeshift backline were sensational. Long made two ...

Summing up their first-half was a booking for Ronan Finn - one of Rovers’ substitutes. Worse was to come for Rovers when midfielder Jack Byrne was forced off just before half-time for the second game in a row - and just ahead of tomorrow’s Ireland squad announcement. The only problem? Doherty’s last game was over a decade ago. The midfielder celebrated his fourth goal in 10 appearances - and on his fourth start of the season - in front of the travelling support. A RED CARD, a yellow card for a substitute, a lengthy delay and appeals for fans to stop throwing objects onto the pitch and NINE minutes of stoppage time.

Former Shamrock Rovers midfielder Ryan Brennan proved the matchwinner for his hometown club as Drogheda United produced a stunning, shock victory over the ...

Rory Gaffney and Cotter had early chances but it was in-form Danny Mandroiu who met his match in the form of on-loan Lincoln City goalkeeper Long. They found Drogheda goalkeeper Sam Long in inspired form, however, and Brennan took full advantage at the other end. Substitute Dayle Rooney burst past Barry Coffey on the left flank and stood up a cross into the six-yard box.

Drogheda United produced the shock the season so far as they condemned ten-man Shamrock Rovers to defeat at Head In The Game Park courtesy of Ryan Brennan's ...

He was shown a second yellow card with ten minutes of normal time to play. Substitute Ronan Finn was booked for complaints made to the fourth official while Graham Burke was carded within four minutes of his introduction. The home side valiantly put their bodies in front of shots at will. Now, six from six leaves them looking up the table as opposed to nervously over their shoulder. It was completely against the run of play, not that the home faithful cared too much about that. But Stephen Bradley will hardly be happy that his side mustered very little having trailed for over an hour of the contest.

Drogheda United host Shamrock Rovers at Head in the Game Park tonight (7.45pm)

“If he wants to try me in more positions, and forward positions, I'm all for it. That’s how I enjoy the game, going and playing forward. We're trying that out and it gives us an extra option for the next games.” “It's what you do on the ball and the different options, so it's about seeing where the space is and playing into it. Farrugia continued: “When I was with UCD, I played on the right quite a bit and I feel like I'm a forward. Although he made his name as a right-back for the Gypsies and Ireland’s Under-21s, he is thriving as a left-wing back for the Hoops.

DROGHEDA UNITED 1 SHAMROCK ROVERS 0RYAN BRENNAN got the winner as the Drogs of war earned a battling win against leaders Shamrock Rovers.Drogheda Unit.

He got his first yellow for a foul on Dylan Grimes, the second for a late challenge on Long. It was a well-worked goal as sub Dayle Rooney found space to whip over a delicious cross for Brennan to slip between Lee Grace and Lyons to head home the fourth goal of his third stint at his hometown club. It made for a bad night for the Hoops, whose 13-game unbeaten run came to an end as Jack Byrne went off injured and Danny Mandriou was sent off for two yellow cards.

Barry Landy reports from Head In The Game Park. RYAN BRENNAN hit his fourth goal of the season to stun reigning champions and league leaders Shamrock Rovers ...

The game resumed but even with nine minutes of additional time, United stood firm. First, he leapt to his left to tip a top corner-bound free-kick around the post. With Byrne off the field, they struggled. Brennan spent two seasons at Rovers but came back to haunt his old side with a fourth goal of the campaign. The return to his hometown club can already be categorised as a resounding success. The on-loan Lincoln City stopper made two superb saves to keep Mandroiu, in red hot form himself, out.

Drogheda United produced what is surely the shock of the season so far, condemning champions Shamrock Rovers to defeat courtesy of a familiar face in Ryan ...

Sean Hoare’s header went wide and that was as close as the visitors came to a leveller. It came against the run of play in a first half that Stephen Bradley’s men dominated. A hometown hero already, Brennan cemented his fan favourite status by scoring the only goal against a side he represented for two seasons.