Bohs have had the unhealthy habit of conceding early goals this season, and tonight the trend continued.  A Jason Marks corner was knocked down to right back Stephen Quigley who unleashed a powerful half-volleyed shot from the edge of the area.  Not for the first time this season, Dean Delany will be disappointed with his role, as the ball seemed to go right through his out stretched arms.  On the bench – Greg Murray watches and waits.

Bohs only real spell of dominance came during the middle of the first half.  First, a Ryan McEvoy swirling cross slipped through Gabriel Sava’s hands and hit the post. Then, Bohs only clear cut chances were created. Unfortunately for the home side, they fell to the less prolific Keith Buckley.   He created the first for himself, jinking inside and floating a shot too close to Sava. The second chance was the key one. Good work from Lyons down the left led to Buckley in acres of space, 14 yards out in the centre of the goal. His right-footed shot was somewhat scuffed, and bobbled off the post. It was a stroke of luck that has summed up Bohs last few performances at Dalymount Park.

Drogheda’s second goal came from a simple move down the left. Michael Barker was tortured by Jason Marks all night, and the left winger’s 38^th minute cross found Declan O’Brien in acres of space in the six yard box. A striker of Fabio’s quality doesn’t need to be asked twice, and his header doubled the Drogs’ lead. The half-time whistle was greeted with a kind of glum silence.

Fair play to Bohs, they tried to gee themselves up in the second period. Buckley was especially busy, buzzing around the midfield areas. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any real cutting edge. The watching Pat Fenlon would have been puzzled to see the strike force that ended the game. Kevin O’Leary and Adam Kelly are not household names, but their inclusion in such an important game underlines the standard of Bohs squad at the moment.

Drogheda’s third goal fully killed the game. After Bohs failed to properly clear their lines, Philip Hand unleashed a powerful shot from a truly outrageous angle. Delany will again be disappointed to be beaten at his near post, but the finish was very good.

Bohs return to league action next week with a daunting trip to Sligo before a crunch relegation clash against Shelbourne.

Bohemians: Dean Delany, Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Dave Mulcahy, Luke Byrne, Andy Mulligan (Karl Moore, 75), Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy, Michael Barker, Dwayne Wilson (Kevin O’Leary, 46), Chris Lyons (Adam Kelly, 70). Subs not used: Greg Murray, Stephen Traynor, Michael Scott, Darragh Reynor.

Drogheda United: Gabriel Sava, Stephen Quigley, Paul O’Conor, Alan McNally, Cathal Brady, Ryan Brennan (Michael Daly, 86), Peter Hynes, Shane Grimes, Jason Marks (Philip Hand, 58), Alan Byrne, Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien (David Cassidy, 64). Subs not used: Michael Schlingermann, Gary O’Neill, Brian Gannon, Dean Gaynor.

Bohs Man of the Match: Luke Byrne

“Sometimes in a league game you’re happy enough to get a single point out of it. But we want to win this one, particularly as it’s on our home turf.”

The Bohemian manager admitted he would prefer to be playing a league game following last week’s defeat. “It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, and we’re waiting two weeks to put things right. But this is another competition we’re hoping to do well in.

“It’s a tough ask as this is one of only two all-Premier Division ties in the round. The cup draw hasn’t been kind to either Drogheda or ourselves and it’s going to be difficult for both of us.”

Despite his team slipping down the league table, Callaghan insists they go into the cup tie confident. “I’m always confident going into a match, even when performances may not have matched the standards we set for ourselves,” he said.

“We had a good result against them up in Drogheda [2-2, four weeks ago]. They have had some problems with consistency themselves. They had a heavy defeat in the Setanta Cup final and they seem to be conceding more goals than they did last year.

“It’s probably going to be an open game and you’ll see goals. We just hope we get more than they do.”

The most recent cup encounter between the sides was in the EA Sports Cup last season (10 April 2012). That game was level, 1-1, after extra time and went to penalties, Drogheda winning the shoot-out.

For Friday, Bohs are without Dave Scully, suspended for one match with four yellow cards. Owen Heary remains out with a hip injury, though he has returned to training and may be fit for Bohemians’ next league match.

The absence of Scully and Heary, following the recent departure of Stephen Paisley, means Bohemians are short on bigger, stronger players.

“Drogheda are a strong, physical side and we may be a bit lightweight. To be missing Dave’s height and his battling qualities is disappointing,” said Callaghan.

Roberto Lopes, Luke Byrne and Chris Lyons have returned to the squad after training with the Ireland under-21s. Callaghan is delighted with the opportunity these young players have had, “and it shows we must be doing something right when we supplied three of the 22 players in the squad”.

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Meanwhile, Derby fans are advised that tickets for the game will not be sold in advance – money will be accepted at the turnstiles.

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