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Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Shamrock Rovers replace opponents Drogheda United at the top of the table after convincing home win
Shamrock Rovers 3 Drogheda United 0 Granted, the Premier Division table has proved absurdly congested so far as the season approaches the halfway point. But for the first time this year Shamrock Rovers are at the summit, albeit on goal difference. There is a long, long way to go still, but this weekend they are sitting exactly where they want to be. Drogheda United arrived at the Dublin 24 venue top of the league but the Hoops have taken that spot off them for now, as two quick-fire goals from Aaron Greene and Lee Grace shortly after the restart saw Stephen Bradley's men extend their unbeaten run against the FAI Cup champions to eight games.
Irish Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Shamrock Rovers wear Drogheda United down and leapfrog them at top of the table
League of Ireland Premier Division: Shamrock Rovers 3 (Greene 50, Grace 53, Gaffney 90+3) Drogheda United 0 Aaron Greene scored his second sublimely-taken goal of the week as Shamrock Rovers wore down Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium to leapfrog them to the top of the Premier Division table. Central defender Lee Grace provided the assist for Greene's opener before heading a second himself in a dynamic three-minute spell early in the second half which effectively sealed the points. Substitute Rory Gaffney added a third goal in stoppage time following a defensive blunder. A second win over Drogheda this year, and a seventh of the campaign, thus sees Rovers back at the summit, on goal difference ahead of in-form Derry City, for the first time since winning their four-in-a-row titles at the end of the 2023 season. READ MORE With Josh Honohan returning at left-wingback the only change from Monday's win over Sligo Rovers, Hoops enjoyed plenty of possession throughout a first half of utter frustration for Stephen Bradley's side. With a solid shape and focus, Drogheda came to spoil with goalkeeper Luke Dennison spoken to for timewasting as early as the 10th minute. Nonetheless, it was Kevin Doherty's side who had the game's first real opening two minutes later when Shane Farrell curled a free kick not far wide. As was the case in Monday's win over Sligo, Rovers had to show patience in moving the ball to find openings, finally cutting Drogheda open when going direct on 25 minutes. Jack Byrne's long ball over the top found the run of Greene in behind. He worked it back to Matt Healy who fed Graham Burke to drive straight at Dennison. Rovers' patience looked to have finally paid off six minutes later following incisive approach play by Danny Grant, Burke and Byrne which resulted in Owen Lambe tripping Honohan to concede a penalty. Burke had opened the scoring emphatically from the spot against Sligo on Monday. But it wasn't to be on this occasion. The penalty lacked conviction as it arrowed wide off the base of a post. Rovers upped the tempo from the restart, tenaciously pinning Drogheda inside their area. And whatever may have been said at half-time worked as they were 2-0 up inside eight minutes. The opening goal in the 50th minute caught Drogheda's back line flat footed as Grace dinked a telling pass in behind. Greene controlled the dropping ball superbly on his chest before turning and calmly lobbing it over Dennison for a delightful fourth goal of the campaign. Three minutes later, Dennison pushed a shot from Healy out for a corner. Byrne's delivery was on the money as Grace rose highest to get his head to the ball and find the net for his second goal of the season. Gaffney then capped Rovers' dominant evening three minutes into added time. Dennison merely succeeded in heading an attempted clearance from outside his area against Michael Noonan with the ball rebounding to Gaffney who walked it into the net. Derry City move second after an 82nd minute Danny Mullen goal gave them a 2-1 victory away to second-bottom Cork City, the Candystripes fifth win in six games. Derry led from the 27th minute at Turner's Cross when Gavin Whyte set up Liam Boyce for his fourth goal of the season before Dutch striker Djenairo Daniels scored a 62nd minute equaliser. Kerr McInroy scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner as champions Shelbourne came from behind to beat St Patrick's Athletic 2-1 at Tolka Park. Mason Melia had given the Inchicore side a first half lead before Harry Wood levelled three minutes into the second half. A 27th-minute strike from Darragh Leahy brought Waterford a 1-0 victory over Galway United at the RSC as they made it four wins on the spin in new manager John Coleman's first game in charge. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Grace, Lopes, C. O'Sullivan; Grant (J. O'Sullivan, 84), Nugent (Ozhianvuna, 84), Healy, Byrne (Barrett, 84), Honohan; Burke (Gaffney, 73); Greene (Noonan, 83). Drogheda United: Dennison; Ahui, Keeley, Cooper (Oluwa, 59); Lambe, Farrell (Cruise, 72), Brennan (Bolger, 63), Heeney, Kane; Davis, Douglas-Taylor. Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin). Attendance: 6,101.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
League of Ireland: Tonight's action as it happened
Here's how the action unfolded. Key updates 90+3' GOAL! Rory Gaffney adds the extras! Shamrock Rovers 3 - Drogheda United 0 A long ball over the top is chased down by Micheal Noonan who gets to it just before Luke Dennison. It's brave from the 16-year-old who gets the flick on it before colliding with the Drogs shot-stopper. Rory Gaffney is afforded the easiest of tap-ins! Shels snatch it late on! Shelbourne 2 - Athletic 1 GOAL! Shelbourne. 2-1. Kerr McInroy wriggles free in the box to drill a left footer under the body of Joseph Anang. Good play from sub John O'Sullivan to help fashion the opportunity. Hell of a second half turnaround. - Dan McDonnell Derry back in the ascendancy! Cork City 1 - Derry City 2 The travelling Candystripe fans celebrate as Danny Mullen, who was excellent in Derry's win over last Monday, fires Tiernan Lynch's side ahead with just 8 minutes of normal time remaining. It's the Djenairo show once again! Cork City 1 - Derry City 1 Having netted a brace on bank holiday Monday, 23-year-old Dutch forward Djenairo Daniels has equalised for Tim Clancy's side in the 61st-minute at Turners Cross. The delivery from the left was inch perfect as Daniels raced in bravely to get the crucial touch. 53' GOAL! Lee Grace doubles the Hoops' lead! Shamrock Rovers 2 - Drogheda United 0 Jack Byrne puts it on a plate for Matt Healy on the edge of the box. Healy's shot is superbly saved by Luke Dennison who pushes it out for a corner. But hold on a minute! Jack Byrne's corner is on the money as Lee Grace finds space to plant his header inside the post. He and Roberto Lopes were queuing up to thump it home! 50' GOAL! Aaron Greene with a beauty! Shamrock Rovers 1 - Drogheda United 0 Lee Grace is the architect of the move as he plays a lovely ball from the right sideline up to Greene. The 35-year-old marksman takes a touch on his chest inside the box before lashing it past Luke Dennison with his weaker foot. That's his 101st-goal in the League of Ireland! Shels equalise as Dan McDonnell reports! Shelbourne 1 - Athletic 1 It's 1-1. Big moment in Tolka. Chris Forrester goes down injured in a freak accident trying to intercept a crossfield pass from Kerr McInroy. He stays down and Shels continue with the extra man. Evan Caffrey crosses for Harry Wood to score after Duff urges his Reds to keep playing. And that's the end of Forrester's contribution. Barry Baggley is introduced. Waterford take the lead at the RSC! Waterford 1 - Galway United 0 The Blues take the lead against John Caulfield's side as Darragh Leahy converts in the 27th-minute. It's hard to see who actually got the final touch in Conan Noonan's corner, but Leahy claimed it anyway - why not! Centre-halves don't get to celebrate goals that often! Melia magic opens the scoring in Drumcondra! Shelbourne 0 - Athletic 1 It's 1-0 Pat's. Mason Melia breaks the deadlock - deserved after a spell where they've been on top. Sean Hoare nicked the ball from John Martin and Leavy laid the ball on for the Spurs bound striker who finishes really well. - Dan McDonnell Derry stun Turners Cross into silence! Cork City 0 - Derry City 1 And suddenly we have the first goal of the Premier Division's Matchday 15 as Gavin Whyte sets up Liam Boyce for the opener. Cork goalkeeper Tein Troost will come into question again as he raced from his line to close Whyte down who got the cross away for Boyce to tap in. The Candystripes have been on fire lately and Tiernan Lynch will be delighted with that goal in the 24th-minute. League of Ireland Premier Division (full-time) Cork City 1 - Derry City 2 Shelbourne 2 - Athletic 1 Waterford 1 - Galway United 0 Shamrock Rovers 3 - Drogheda United 0 League of Ireland First Division Dundalk 2 - Bray Wanderers 2 Finn Harps 0 - Athlone Town 2 Kerry 1 - Treaty United 0 UCD 1 - Longford Town 1 Wexford 0 - Cobh Ramblers 2 2 minutes ago Sean O'Connor puts the seal on things at Tallaght Stadium: Full-time here in Tallaght and Shamrock Rovers have beaten Drogheda 3-0. Two quick-fire goals from Aaron Greene and Lee Grace put the hosts in the driving seat and an injury-time strike by Rory Gaffney off the bench put the cherry on top. Rovers go top (on goal difference) for the first time this season, after extending their unbeaten run over the Louth side to eight games. 3 minutes ago Dan McDonnell signs off on yet another Dublin derby: Full-time: Shelbourne 2 St Patrick's Athletic 1. A hell of a second half turnaround. Pat's looked the part in the first half and had their chances in the second but they leave Tolka with nothing. Could be a big momentum win for Shels. 6 minutes ago Full-time: All over in Tallaght as Shamrock Rovers cruise to victory! It was a routine night for Stephen Bradley's side in the end as second-half goals from Aaron Greene, Lee Grace and Rory Gaffney wrapped up the points. 'We are top of the league' is the cry from the Hoops' fans as their superior goal difference takes them past Derry City who are also on 26 points. 8 minutes ago GOAL! Dundalk 2 - Bray Wanderers 2 (full-time) Just as Ciaran Kilduff's side looked like they were about to taste a rare defeat, Sean Keogh finds substitute Gbemi Arubi to equalise in the 93rd-minute. 10 minutes ago 90+3' GOAL! Rory Gaffney adds the extras! Shamrock Rovers 3 - Drogheda United 0 A long ball over the top is chased down by Micheal Noonan who gets to it just before Luke Dennison. It's brave from the 16-year-old who gets the flick on it before colliding with the Drogs shot-stopper. Rory Gaffney is afforded the easiest of tap-ins! Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X Rory Gaffney makes it 3-0 after some good pressure from Michael Noonan!#LOI Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 9, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 12 minutes ago 90+1' Ed McGinty claims an easy cross on what has been a quiet night for the Hoops' goalkeeper. We will have 4 minutes of additional time to play in Tallaght. Aaron Green, who netted his 101st League of Ireland goal is the Man of the Match! 14 minutes ago Shels snatch it late on! Shelbourne 2 - Athletic 1 GOAL! Shelbourne. 2-1. Kerr McInroy wriggles free in the box to drill a left footer under the body of Joseph Anang. Good play from sub John O'Sullivan to help fashion the opportunity. Hell of a second half turnaround. - Dan McDonnell 16 minutes ago GOAL! Dundalk 1 - Bray Wanderers 2 (89 mins) Unbelievable scenes in Oriel Park as the 10-men of Bray, who lost Cian Doyle to a second yellow card in the 68th-minute, have taken the lead late on! Harvey Warren could be the hero on the night with the late goal for Wanderers! 19 minutes ago 84' Jack Byrne, who was excellent again tonight, is withdrawn alongside Josh Honohan. Cian Barrett is in for the Hoops, as is Victor Ozhianvuna. 25 minutes ago Derry back in the ascendancy! Cork City 1 - Derry City 2 The travelling Candystripe fans celebrate as Danny Mullen, who was excellent in Derry's win over last Monday, fires Tiernan Lynch's side ahead with just 8 minutes of normal time remaining. 30 minutes ago 73' A couple of changes made by Stephen Bradley sees Micheal Noonan replace goalscorer Aaron Greene who receives a round of applause. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Kieran Cruise is into the game for Drogheda. 32 minutes ago GOAL! Finn Harps 0 - Athlone Town 2 (73 mins) Athlone Town have doubled their lead in Ballybofey as Gideon Tetteh nets a second goal. 38 minutes ago Dan McDonnell notes the love-hate relationship between Duffer and Mipo in the last few minutes: The main stand in Tolka Park left in no doubt about Damien Duff's feelings about Mipo Odubeko attempting a short from 40 yards after Shels turned the ball over and found themselves in a 3 v 3. 'Mipo, F**k off' is the shout from the sideline. Minutes earlier, Duff encroached onto the pitch to give the striker a pat on the back in an attempt to encourage him to keep pressing. Duff has just been yellow carded for leaving his technical area. He's not happy with the fourth official, arguing that he's not being as vigilant with the other bench. 'One f**king job' he screams at Oliver Moran. 40 minutes ago 63' Kevin Doherty has made a pair of changes in the last few minutes as he hopes to salvage something for Drogheda. Thomas Oluwa and James Bolger have replaced George Cooper and Ryan Brennan. 43 minutes ago It's the Djenairo show once again! Cork City 1 - Derry City 1 Having netted a brace on bank holiday Monday, 23-year-old Dutch forward Djenairo Daniels has equalised for Tim Clancy's side in the 61st-minute at Turners Cross. The delivery from the left was inch perfect as Daniels raced in bravely to get the crucial touch. League of Ireland on Twitter / X The hosts are level!Djenaior Daniels on the scoresheet again to equalise for Cork City. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 9, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 48 minutes ago Sean O'Connor shares his thoughts on a blistering few minutes for Stephen Bradley's side: After 45 minutes of dominance in the first-half yielded no goals, it takes Rovers just four minutes after the restart to take the lead. A superb long ball by Lee Grace finds Aaron Greene who takes a touch and fires it into the net for his 101st LOI goal. What a finish! And it's two goals in three minutes here for Rovers. Lee Grace provided the assist for the first but he's scored the second, heading home from a Jack Byrne corner. An absolutely perfect start to the second half for the hosts. 49 minutes ago 53' GOAL! Lee Grace doubles the Hoops' lead! Shamrock Rovers 2 - Drogheda United 0 Jack Byrne puts it on a plate for Matt Healy on the edge of the box. Healy's shot is superbly saved by Luke Dennison who pushes it out for a corner. But hold on a minute! Jack Byrne's corner is on the money as Lee Grace finds space to plant his header inside the post. He and Roberto Lopes were queuing up to thump it home! Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X 𝐋𝐄𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄! ☘️Great header to make it 2-0! #LOI Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 9, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 52 minutes ago 50' GOAL! Aaron Greene with a beauty! Shamrock Rovers 1 - Drogheda United 0 Lee Grace is the architect of the move as he plays a lovely ball from the right sideline up to Greene. The 35-year-old marksman takes a touch on his chest inside the box before lashing it past Luke Dennison with his weaker foot. That's his 101st-goal in the League of Ireland! Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋 𝟏𝟎𝟏!Aaron Greene on target once again for @ShamrockRovers and what a finish that is! ☘️#LOI Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 9, 2025 55 minutes ago 48' Frustration for Drogheda to start the second half as Conor Kane gets in behind the Hoops' defence. He looked an acre onside but the linesman saw things differently! Kane is incensed at the decision.
The Irish Sun
21-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Shamrock Rovers ace Lee Grace admits Easter Monday derby brings extra complication from usual Bohemians battles
SHAMROCK ROVERS defender Lee Grace knows a Dublin derby against Bohemians is the same — but also different. The Hoops host their big rivals this afternoon at Tallaght Stadium in the middle derby of three in eight days. 2 Grace got on the scoresheet as they visited Richmond Park on Monday 2 Ross Tierney got the only goal when the two rivals met in the season-opener at the Aviva Stadium Rovers Those meetings with the Saints and Shels are likely to have more bearing on the title race than the Bohs game. But Grace knows that does not mean today is diminished. Indeed, he knows that this one is bigger for the faithful than any other. Read More On Irish Sport He said: 'You see it all over social media with the fans. It's probably the biggest rivalry in the country. So it's maybe a slight difference. 'But for us players, I know it's a cliche, we prepare for every game the same as, doesn't matter if it's Bohs, Shels, or if we're playing Cork or Galway. We prepare for every game the same. 'You cannot not see it if you're on social media so maybe there is a slight difference. It's definitely hyped up and the fans love it. "Whatever about bragging rights for us players, fans love to have the bragging rights in this derby. Most read in Football 'Hopefully we can give them the bragging rights on Monday.' What also is different about this derby is the kick-off time, with the game on at 2pm following French match between fierce rivals St-Etienne and Lyon SUSPENDED after official hit on head by object thrown from crowd For Grace, that means a much earlier start than normal. He said: 'You have to get up early, have your breakfast really early and have your pre-match a bit earlier as well. 'Most players tend to eat about 3½ or four hours before a game so that's ten o'clock. That will nearly need to be my second meal. 'I'll be up by eight o'clock to get some porridge into me just so I've a bit of grub in the stomach before the match comes around. 'I hate the pre-match meal on match days to be honest. I find it hard to eat. 'It's just shovelling it down your throat just so you have some fuel in the body to get through the match. 'It's usually just bog-standard chicken and rice, or chicken and pasta. 'It's all part and parcel of it and you just have to prepare right. "We are so used to playing at quarter to eight or eight o'clock. It is a bit of a change. 'It's part and parcel of it, so we'll be ready for it.' 'HIT OUR STRIDE' Grace knows Bohemians — But form guides are never a good predictor of the derby. After all, Bohs won on the opening day at the Aviva Stadium and have lost six of their nine games since. Meanwhile, the Hoops have lost just one further game and are one point off top. Grace added: 'Look, for some reason the last few seasons, we always start slow. 'I think this year is our best start in the last three years. 'We're on a bit of a run now with a few clean sheets in there as well. We're starting to hit our stride. 'The squad looks in a good place. There are a few niggles but everyone will be back in the next few weeks. 'We're just looking forward to every game as they come.' DESMOND DOCUMENT The fact that it is so hectic means that the players have paid little attention to the news that broke last week of boardroom bickering at the club. Minority shareholder Dermot Desmond But Grace admitted it is not even discussed in the dressing room. He said: 'You see it on social media and I don't read too much into it. 'We've enough to be worrying about and dealing with on the pitch. I just leave that to the hierarchy. 'There is no distraction. We've enough to be dealing with on the training pitch and preparing for matches and in this busy schedule of Monday and Friday, you can barely think of anything else. 'We'll forget about all that stuff and concentrate on the main stuff which is the matches.' Kicking off earlier also means the Hoops can go top of the table for a few hours at least for the first time since winning the title in 2023 — with leaders Drogheda facing St Pat's at 5pm. Grace added: 'It's been a while since we've been up there. Too long. 'Our game is that bit earlier so if we do the business and get the three points then we'll go top and put the pressure on the chasers. 'But there is a long way to go, Drogheda are flying, people keep saying how long are they going to stay up there but they're not going away so it will be a tough game for Pat's up there. 'The league is wide open at the moment. After the second round of fixtures you can start looking at it then. It has to really settle.' GIDDY AFTER GOAL But Rovers are looking good with Grace, who has two goals in his last two starts, also chipping in. He was delighted with his header against the Saints on Friday having been badgering team-mates to give him opportunities like that all season. Grace explained: 'When we get corners or wide free-kicks and the defenders clear it back out to where it came from, I always say to try to deliver it again as quickly as possible because they're trying to get out and we're going back in, it's hard to defend those ones. 'I love those ones. They are easy to attack and thankfully I was on the end of it. It was a great ball from Jack Byrne. 'I'm always harping on to the lads because we don't do it enough, it breaks back out and we might try and make a few passes. 'But I'm always on to them to put it back into the box while we're still up. Anything can happen.'
