Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Shamrock Rovers’ Aaron Greene celebrates scoring.James Lawlor/INPHO FreeLeaders Shamrock Rovers beat Drogheda to go top of the table Aaron Greene scored his second sublimely-taken goal of the week to inspire the Hoops. 10.02pm, 9 May 2025 Share options Shamrock Rovers 3 Drogheda United 0 Paul Buttner reports from Tallaght Stadium AARON GREENE scored his second sublimely-taken goal of the week as Shamrock Rovers finally wore down Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium to leapfrog them to the top of the Premier Division table. Central defender Lee Grace provided the assist for Greene’s opener before heading a second himself in a dynamic three-minute spell early in the second half, which effectively sealed the points. Substitute Rory Gaffney added a third goal in stoppage time following a defensive blunder. A second win over Drogheda this year, and a seventh of the campaign, thus sees Rovers back at the summit, on goal difference ahead of in-form Derry City, for the first time since winning their four-in-a-row titles at the end of the 2023 season. With Josh Honohan returning at left wing-back the only change from Monday’s win over Sligo Rovers, Hoops enjoyed plenty of possession throughout a first half of utter frustration for Stephen Bradley’s side. With a solid shape and focus, Drogheda came to spoil with goalkeeper Luke Dennison spoken to for time wasting as early as the 10th minute. Advertisement Nonetheless, it was Kevin Doherty’s side who had the game’s first real opening two minutes later when Shane Farrell curled a free kick not far wide. As was the case in Monday’s win over Sligo, Rovers had to show patience in moving the ball to find openings, finally cutting Drogheda open when going direct on 25 minutes. Jack Byrne’s long ball over the top found the run of Greene in behind. He worked it back to Matt Healy, who fed Graham Burke to drive straight at Dennison. Rovers’ patience looked to have finally paid off on 31 minutes following incisive approach play by Danny Grant, Burke and Byrne, which resulted in Owen Lambe tripping Honohan to concede a penalty. Burke had opened the scoring emphatically from the spot against Sligo on Monday. But it wasn’t to be on this occasion. The penalty lacked conviction as it arrowed wide off the base of a post. Rovers upped the tempo from the restart, tenaciously pinning Drogheda inside their area. And whatever may have been said at half-time worked as they were 2-0 up inside eight minutes. The opening goal caught Drogheda’s back line flat-footed as Grace dinked a telling pass in behind. Greene controlled the dropping ball superbly on his chest before turning and calmly lobbing it over Dennison for a delightful fourth goal of the campaign. Three minutes later, Dennison pushed a shot from Healy out for a corner. Byrne’s delivery was on the money as Grace rose highest to get his head to the ball and find the net for his second goal of the season. Gaffney then capped Rovers’ dominant evening with a third goal. Dennison succeeded in heading an attempted clearance from outside his area against Michael Noonan, with the ball rebounding to Gaffne,y who walked it into the net. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Grace, Lopes, C. O’Sullivan; Grant (J. O’Sullivan, 84), Nugent (Ozhianvuna, 84), Healy, Byrne (Barrett, 84), Honohan; Burke (Gaffney, 73); Greene (Noonan, 83). Drogheda United: Dennison; Ahui, Keeley, Cooper (Oluwa, 59); Lambe, Farrell (Cruise, 72), Brennan (Bolger, 63), Heeney, Kane; Davis, Douglas-Taylor. Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin). Attendance: 6,101. Paul Buttner Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Shamrock Rovers beat Drogheda to go top of the table”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Shamrock Rovers beat Drogheda to go top of the table”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. 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Leave a commentcancel Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Aaron Greene League of Ireland Drogheda United Shamrock Rovers News in 60 seconds FreeAdvantage Eliezer Mayenda’s late winner gives Sunderland edge over Coventry in play-off 14 mins ago Candystripes Holt nets winner in Cork as Derry move up to second 22 mins ago Leahy header sees Waterford beat Galway to extend winning run 35 mins ago FreeMore Drama Shelbourne snatch stunning 90th-minute win over St Patrick's Athletic David Sneyd reports from Tolka Park 40 mins ago A beautiful moment for O'Mahony as Munster muscle past Ulster Murray Kinsella Reports from Thomond Park FreeRossies Roscommon finish strong against Mayo to land Connacht minor title Freestatement Munster camogie final postponed ahead of planned skort protest FreePunishment La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara receives 5-week suspension New Addition Connacht sign Sam Gilbert from Highlanders as Cordero named among departures FreeAs it happened Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda, Shelbourne v St Pat's Six Lions in Leinster starting team to face Zebre more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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