SHAMROCK ROVERS ran out comfortable winners over Drogheda United in a one-sided encounter at Hunky Dorys Park.

Though only a goal to the good at the break the Hoops just upped a gear in a second 45 minutes where they could have scored a hatful of goals had they taken all of the chances that came their way.

Early on Rovers won a corner on the left which Billy Dennehy swung in for Ken Oman who powered his header well over.   

The visitors now totally on top saw Gary McCabe’s free well held by Quirke but there was nothing he could do on 28 minutes to prevent the opening goal of the contest.  Dennehy was at his best when he spotted Gary Twigg ghosting in behind the home defence to apply the finish with his head to the cross.

Rovers then had a Ken Oman effort chalked out before Kilduff raced through on goal but with only Quirke to beat he guided his shot the wrong side of the target. 

With the strong wind on their tails now the league leaders pushed on from the start of the second half and almost doubled their advantage immediately when Gary McCabe’s goal bound powerful drive was deflected to safety by Robert Kovacsevics. 

But it didn’t take long for number two to arrive when McCabe fired a fierce shot off the underside of the bar, which rebounded to Dennehy who knocked his effort off the post for Ciaran Kilduff to eventually guide the ball home from close range.

Six minutes later two became three when the Drogheda backline failed to deal with Dennehy’s corner and Twigg turned instinctively to tuck the ball past Quirke for his second goal of the evening. 

A now rampant Rovers turned the screw even further in the seventy third minute as Pat Sullivan’s cross picked out Billy Dennehy who was afforded the time and space to crack a fine strike to the net to make it four.          

Drogheda United:  Quirke, Gannon, Hand, Kovacsevics, Whelan, Quigley, O’Brien M (Flynn 59), Lester (McCrossan H/T), Freeman, Corcoran, O’Brien C (Costigan H/T). 

Shamrock Rovers:  Mannus, Sullivan, Murray, Oman (Flynn 59), Stevens, McCabe, Rice, Finn (McCormack 78), Dennehy, Twigg, Kilduff (Sheppard 77). 

Referee:  N. Doyle (Dublin)