Two red cards and a first half penalty sealed the end of Dundalk’s hunt for silverware this year, as Drogheda United prepare themselves for a trip to the Aviva Stadium on November 3rd.

Chris Shields was shown red in the 31st minute of the game for a tackle on Declan O’Brien inside the Dundalk area. O’Brien was past Shields and heading for goal, although the presence of two Dundalk defenders in the box raised serious doubts over the decision to show the defender a red card. Ger Brennan converted the spot kick and Drogs were 1 goal and 2 men to the good over the local rivals long before the end of the first half.

That dismissal followed the earlier straight for Darren Meenan, which was shown by referee Anthony Buttimer for a heavy tackle on Paul O’Connor.

Dundalk performed admirably for the remainder of the game, putting Drogheda under heavy pressure at times. They visitors very nearly saved their season in the dying moments of the game when a powerful Tiernan Mulvenna shot was stopped by a fine Michael Schlingermann save.