National League Premier Division/ Shelbourne 2 Drogheda Utd 1: Threatening a performance like this for quite some time, Shelbourne flashed an ominous warning to rivals harbouring title aspirations by clinically dissecting the league leaders.
Of course, it's early days, but Pat Fenlon's side had not made quite the start they would have hoped for, despite remaining the only unbeaten team in the top flight. On last night's evidence, though, they are finally ready to cut and dice it at the business end.
Played at a ferocious pace from start to finish, spectators were treated to a game played with all the ingredients two title-chasing sides should provide. Shelbourne, in particular, played spirited football, forcing Drogheda to initiate their back-up plan from an early stage. Significantly, this was something which the high-flying Louth side had yet to contend with this season.
Drogheda, keen to maintain their impressive run, were quickly into stride, but their time on the ball quickly diminished as they encountered a Shelbourne side up for a fight. Indeed, the home side, playing with drive and creativity, were soon dictating both pace and direction, with former Irish international Alan Moore and striker Gary O'Neill their tormentors in chief.
Having impressed as a substitute in Sligo last weekend, Moore was rewarded with a starting role and proved the catalyst behind Shelbourne's best work. His teasing crosses and slinky runs had the visiting defence reeling.
So rattled were Drogheda that they spent much of the opening half attempting to contain a free-running Shelbourne that varied their attack impressively. Early on, Colin Hawkins forced Dan Connor into a smart save after heading Moore's cross at goal, and moments later the defender fizzed a shot just wide after the goalkeeper spilled another Moore ball under pressure.
The home side's stampede on goal was always likely to reap rewards, such was the menace with which they played, and, just 12 minutes in, Stuart Byrne latched on to Moore's precise free from the left, stepped in front of Jason Gavin and steered a powerful header past Connor.
Finding it difficult to break out of their half, Drogheda were forced to feed off scraps. Winger James Keddy did his utmost to initiate attacks but, time and again, he was quickly closed down by a defensive unit as formidable as their team-mates ahead of them.
Drogheda emerged rejuvenated after the break with Glen Fitzpatrick's introduction ensuring a more deliberate approach.
They pushed on in search of an equaliser and the travelling support thought they had reason to cheer when, with 20 minutes remaining, Stephen Bradley looked well placed to tap home Keith Fahey's cross, but goalkeeper Dean Delaney diverted it from his path at a crucial stage.
Then, cruelly, Liam Kearney immediately crossed for O'Neill at the other end and he headed home his fourth goal in as many games, spoiling any chance the visitors had of an unlikely comeback.
That said, Declan O'Brien did score a consolation goal a minute from time, but by that stage the prize was already Shelbourne's.
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Dillon, Rogers; Kearney, S Byrne, Moore, Cahill; O'Neill, J Byrne. Subs: Crowe for J Byrne (86 mins), Reynolds for Moore (90 mins).
DROGHEDA UTD: Connor; Shelley, Gartland, Gavin, Webb; Robinson, Bradley, Keegan, Keddy; O'Brien, Leech. Subs: Fitzpatrick for Leech (52 mins), Fahey for Keegan (58 mins), Lynch for Webb (79 mins).
Referee: I Stokes (Dublin)
