The game started well for United, and they could have gone 1-0 up after Danny McBride followed up Darren McNamara's well-saved strike, only for it be harshly ruled our for offside. After 30 minutes though, Rangers took the lead. The ball was worked down the right and their centre-forward powered home to give the Dublin side the lead.
At half-time, manager Darius Kierans brought on Michael Newman and he was to change the game. After United had a player sent off for a second bookable offence, they began to dominate. Newman tightened up the defence and his range of passing were of a different class, as the Drogs ran in 5 goals. The equaliser came after good work by Ronan McEnteggart who crossed from the endline for McNamara to power home. McEnteggart scored the second himself, after beating two men on the edge of the box, before lobbing the ball over the Rangers 'keeper.
It was all Drogheda at this stage and Liam McDonnell showed great skill to set up William Woods who beat his man before finding the back of the net. The visitors grabbed their fourth soon after, as Darren McNamara beat two men and slammed the ball into the roof of the net from outside the box for his second. United's passing and possession were too much for the Rangers side, and the 5th was as good a goal as would have been seen anywhere last weekend. McDonnell started the move, working the ball to McNamara. He found Cormac Pentony in space who squared for Colm Smith to tap home.
A fantastic result for the young Drogs and the result was in no way flattering as they completely dominated their opponents. They now face Wayside Celtic in the final on Sunday 11th May in the AUL, Clonshaugh.
For further information, please contact:
Conor Cullen
Media and Communications Officer
Drogheda United FC