Shelbourne 0-1 Drogheda United: Early Davis Stunner Silences “Robotic” Shels
Early Warren Davis stunner stunts champions, as Shelbourne lose their first game in title defense.
There were three changes for the home side as Mark Coyle, Kerr McInroy, and Sean Boyd came in for Lewis Temple, Jonathan Lunney, and John Martin.
Meanwhile, the visitors opted for just one change from their 1-0 win against Bohemians earlier in the week. George Cooper started over James Bolger at the back.
The reigning champions were in for a real test, despite being unbeaten in their last 10 games against the Louth side (5 wins, 5 draws.) However, Drogs had been rock solid at the back, conceding only once in the opening four games of the season.
“Robotic” Shelbourne Stunned By Davis Screamer Early On
Proceedings didn’t take long to get started as the home side threatened first. Captain Owen Coyle struck a shot just wide of the goal with three minutes played. The Red Brigade was uplifted by the moment, as it seemed Shelbourne had come into the game with a real tempo.
However, the tides shifted quickly when Evan Caffrey cheaply gave the ball away on the edge of his own box. 19-year-old Warren Davis was raring to pounce, and after some good footwork, curled an early contender for goal of the season into the top right corner.
What a strike by Warren Davis! Drogs lead early on in Tolka#LOI | #SHEDRO pic.twitter.com/bXKnvw0V0D
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) March 7, 2025
Chants from the away of “Drogheda top the league” ensued quickly, but not before the champions tried to reply. Right off kick-off, the tempo Duff’s side started with was still there to see. Striker Sean Boyd went down in the box to a chorus of boos, but the official didn’t give it a second look, waiving away penalty appeals. Certainly an unpopular call in Tolka Park.
Shels continued to search for an equaliser but struggled to create much against this Drogheda defence. All of the early tempo seemed to wain, and it was evident in the noise at Tolka Park. A couple of wayward shots were the best the Drumcondra side could offer, with the best perhaps being from Chapman, but he blazed his chance over the bar.
Other than the goal, the away side also didn’t threaten much, but a great run from Oluwa, in which Patrick Barrett would slip, allowed the forward an attempt at goal. But it was nothing to trouble Conor Kearns. It was a sign that the Louth side could punish Shelbourne on the counter, though.
Harry Wood looked lively for his side, but his lack of decisiveness on the ball was an issue for the home team. Multiple crosses and final balls failed to reach their intended target, and were mere “flashes in the pan.”
The performance was clearly frustrating the home manager, who shouted to his team to “not be robotic,” as the low-block setup by Drogheda proved difficult to break down. Despite their lack of chances, Kevin Doherty’s side would have been thrilled with how the first-half went.
Drogheda Wall Holds Firm
The phrase “it’s a game of two halves,” isn’t always applicable, and in this case, it isn’t. The second 45 consisted of Shels dominating the ball, having a couple bright sparks, but ultimately struggling to open the Pandora’s box that was Drogheda.
It was Duff who rolled the dice first as 24-year old Rayaan Tulloch entered the pitch for Liverpool loanee James Norris.
Like the opening to the game, Shels threatened early, Mipo Odubeko fizzed a good cross into the area, but Boyd could only get a small touch to put it wide.
Chapman would be next to try his luck, but an excellent save by Dennison to his low right kept his side’s 1-0 lead. Coyle then tried from distance, and it seemed both the crowd and tempo was starting to rise.
Duff opted to roll again as Harry Wood exited proceedings with Alistair Coote taking his place. Mipo Odubeko made way as well with John Martin deemed the right fit for this game.
Just as you thought the tempo was rising, the spark burned slower just as quick. Shels struggled to make their way past the Great Wall of Drogheda, and instead opted for some deep crosses.
The away side’s first change saw Luke Heeney come on for Shane Farrell with about 70 minutes played. Duff responded in jest, opting to bring his final two subs on. Ryan O’Kane for Evan Caffrey and JJ Lunney for Ellis Chapman.
A couple minutes later, a second Drogs sub saw the lively Oluwa make way for Zishim Bawa, and frustrations in Tolka continued to grow.
A particular moment on the edge of the Drogheda box when Shelbourne captain Coyle chose to ignore shouts from the crowd to shoot, instead opting to pass it backwards, incurred a serenade of boos from the Shels faithful, summarising the atmosphere at the ground.
A couple of loose balls would fall to men in red in the box shortly after, but once more the Drogheda ‘keeper didn’t have much to do.
As Shels attempted to step it up in the final moments the crowd tried to get behind them. The Louth side responded by bringing on fresh legs to thwart any late resurgence from the champions. Conall Cronin took the place of Ryan Brennan.
In the end, breaking down this resilient Drogheda defence was too much a task for Damien Duff’s side. And as the away side stated earlier, Drogheda move top of the League of Ireland.
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