19-05-2025
Honours even as Drogheda deny Shelbourne once again
It was the defences who came out on top as both Shelbourne and Drogheda played out an entertaining goalless stalemate at Tolka Park in which both teams will feel they had chances to take all three points.
The champions, who welcomed back Damien Duff to the dugout after his suspension, were desperate to bounce back from Friday's costly defeat to rivals Bohemians, in which they lost their skipper Mark Coyle and Ali Coote to dismissals at Dalymount, but showed no signs of ring-rust early on.
A flowing move down the right side eventually saw Harry Wood cross to the back post to James Norris. The on-loan Liverpool full-back cushioned a header to Ellis Chapman, whose first-time strike was bravely blocked by Elicha Ahui.
The Drogs, who have been enjoying the tussle at the opposite end of the table to what most would have predicted, had been unbeaten against the hosts this season with a win and a draw and defended resolutely.
Both sides went into the clash desperately seeking a win - with matching records of one victory in their last seven games - and there was nothing to separate the sides as the half developed.
Growing in confidence, they began to grow in confidence and almost took the lead themselves when Conor Kearns misjudged Ahui's cross but it just trickled wide.
The home side were dealt a blow when Kearns seemed to pick up a knock after his error, receiving treatment before departing to allow Lorcan Healy to make his league debut
But despite the loss it was the home side who finished the half the stronger with Wood having three chances in quick succession. The first of which the Englishman showed great movement to get on the end of Tyreke Wilson's deep cross, but saw the flick towards goal go agonisingly wide..
The start of the second half followed the same pattern as the first ended as Shels looked to pin back the FAI Cup winners, but they just lacked a cutting edge in the final third with the final killer ball lacking.
Kevin Doherty's side sent a quick reminder of the threat they possessed when Douglas James-Taylor got a free run to get on the end of Owen Lambe's out-swinging corner but failed to hit the target.
Another long ball from Dennison caused all sorts of confusion for Shels defence with the towering Andrew Quinn winning a header before the ball was eventually scrambled away.
The tension was palpable as the game entered the dying embers, with one goal looking like it would be enough for either side.
With time running out, James-Taylor was brilliantly denied by the impressive Healy, having shown excellent feet to twist and turn inside the area.
Substitute Thomas Oluwa had a glorious chance to nick a winner, showing his power and pace to get in behind before rounding the onrushing Healy who forced him wide before saving low and on the rebound, the busy Markey failed to get his shot through a sea of bodies in the box as it remained 0-0.
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns (Lorcan Healy, 29); Sean Gannnon, Kameron Ledwidge, Tyreke Wilson; Evan Caffrey, Ellis Chapman, JJ Lunney (John Martin, 65), Kerr McInroy, James Norris (Ryan O'Kane, 72); Harry Wood (John O'Sullivan, 72), Mipo Odubeko.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Owen Lambe, Elicha Ahui, Conor Keely, Andrew Quinn, Conor Kane; Ryan Brennan, Luke Heeney, Shane Farrell (Darragh Markey, 74); Warren Davis (Thomas Oluwa, 72), Douglas James-Taylor.
