‘Duff’ boys prove too hot to handle for plucky Under-15s

THE challenge of facing Damien Duff’s Shamrock Rovers proved too tough for Drogheda United as they bowed out of the Aghinita National Under-15 Cup at United Park on Sunday afternoon.

Before a ball was kicked the prospect of the Under-15s repeating the senior team’s stunning cup win over their Tallaght counterparts looked a tall order as the Hoops included Sinclair Armstrong who had come on as a sub for Rovers in that FAI Cup match.

Right from the start Rovers dominated and they took the lead with a rather soft goal. Drogs keeper Jack McCarthy seemed to have a Rovers shot under control, but the ball bounced wickedly and ended

DROGHEDA UNITED SHAMROCK ROVERS 0 4

up in the back of the net.

For the remainder of the first half Rovers were on top and a mixture of some poor finishing from the visitors and good work by the home defence ensured the scoreline remain unchanged at that stage.

However, the second half was only 10 minutes old when the home defence came under severe pressure and a resulting Rovers penalty doubled their advantage.

Almost immediately the Drogs set up a fine attack on the right and Francis Campbell went one-on-one with the Rovers keeper but delayed his shot, allowing the Hoops defence to clear the danger.

Rovers added two more goals mid-way through the second half, but the Drogs never stopped fighting and there was no sign of heads dropping at any stage.

They can console themselves with the fact that there are plenty of important games still to go in the league and reflect on some great performances on the field and a never-say-die attitude. DROGHEDA UNITED: Jack McCarthy, John McDonagh, Aaron Murphy, Jack Crowe, Nick Palov, Michael Hilliard, Tadgh Connolly, Owen Murphy, Francis Campbell, Luke Caffrey, Ruari Kinsella. Subs: Antonio Ignat, Aaron Naughton, Sean Buchanan, Michael Burns, Reuben Maher, Josh Lancaster, Craig Gray.