SETANTA SPORTS CUP Drogheda United 3 Dungannon Swifts 0:HOLDERS DROGHEDA United booked their place in the semi-finals of this year's Setanta Cup with a comprehensive win over a Dungannon.

Drogheda's pressure finally paid dividends in the 29th minute when Ollie Cahill fed Shane Robinson, who deftly lifted the ball in behind the visitors' defence for Adam Hughes, who dispatched his shot to the bottom corner of the net.

Drogheda were well on top in the early stages of the second half, so much so that at times they were slack at the back. And they almost paid the price for their lack of concentration on 57 minutes when Jamie Tomelty's fine effort from 30 yards out on the left only just missed the target, with goalkeeper Jamie Ewings stranded.

Sixteen minutes from time the holders added a second when Joe Kendrick won possession on the left and delivered the ball to substitute Eamon Zayed on the edge of the box, who turned several defenders before rifling his shot to the top corner of the net.

Dungannon never gave up and should have pulled a goal back in the closing stages when Ewings turned James Slater's shot onto the crossbar and Adam McMinn drove the rebound wide.

But Drogheda had the final say a couple of minutes from the end as Zayed turned provider for Ollie Cahill who picked his spot in the bottom corner of Nelson's goal. In additional time debutant Darragh McNamara went close to a fourth for United put put the ball over the bar.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Ewings, Kendrick, Gartland, Robinson, Hughes, Bates (Zayed, 67), Baker (Keegan, 62 mins), Shelley, Maher, Cahill, Kuduzovic (McNamara, 86 mins).

DUNGANNON: Nelson, Fitzpatrick, Gallagher, McMinn, Peden, Murphy (McGerrigan, 79 mins), Hegarty, Tomelty (McManus, 60 mins), Baker (Slater, 72 mins), McAllister, McCann.

Referee: D Hancock(Dublin).