Sport

Drogheda take advantage of a distracted Sporting

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION Sporting Fingal 1 Drogheda Utd 2: ALAN McNALLY scored a late winner as Sporting Fingal’s …

PAUL BUTTNER
Tue Jul 20 2010 - 01:00

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION Sporting Fingal 1 Drogheda Utd 2:ALAN McNALLY scored a late winner as Sporting Fingal's gamble in making eight changes backfired as both sides finished with 10 men at Morton Stadium.

With one eye on Thursday’s Europa League return with Portuguese side Maritimo, Sporting manager Liam Buckley rang the changes from the side that started in Madeira.

But it proved costly as his reshuffled side looked disjointed from the start, and Drogheda, who had much the better of the second half predominantly against 10 men, deserved the three points courtesy of their captain’s late cameo.

Peter McMahon whipped over a free-kick, Mick Daly’s header was only parried by goalkeeper Darren Quigley and McNally followed up to shoot home.

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On 19 minutes new Drogheda manger Brian Donnelly saw his side fall behind from Sporting’s first attack. Ollie Cahill’s low cross was touched on by Kevin Dawson and Eamon Zayed, under pressure from Eoghan Osbourne, poked home from six yards.

Drogheda should have been level on 25 minutes, but for a shocking miss. McMahon did well working a one-two with Flood only to blaze a sitter over the bar.

Zayed had a chance to double the lead on 38 minutes, but McNally did enough to put off the Sporting striker.

Drogheda were deservedly level within a minute as McMahon made full amends for his miss.

Flood’s cross picked out McMahon and the left winger spun off defender Colm James before blasting the ball past Quigley from close range.

The game then appeared to have turned in Drogheda’s favour on 44 minutes when Sporting had midfielder Keith Quinn harshly sent off by Dublin referee Derek Tomney for a second booking following a foul on McNally.

But Drogheda also finished with 10 men when left-back Eoghan Osbourne was sent off for a second booking.

Substitute Damien Brennan was then also sent from the Drogheda dugout for dissent towards fourth official Paul Tuite.

SPORTING FINGAL: Quigley; James, Gannon, Browne, Frost; Dawson, Williams (O'Brien, 80 mins), Quinn; Byrne (Crowe, 67 mins), Zayed, Cahill (Kirby, 67 mins).

DROGHEDA UNITED: Skinner; Treacy, McNally, Daly, Osbourne; Meenan (McEnteggart, 72 mins), E McGill, R Brennan, McMahon; Flood, Fitzpatrick (Duffy, 79 mins).

Referee: Derek Tomney(Dublin).

Attendance: 640.