Heartbreak for Drogheda as Gartland misses two penalties
Drogheda United 1 IK Start 0 (1-1 on aggregate after extra time: IK Start win 11-10 on penalties)
Drogheda were cruelly denied a place in the UEFA Cup first round after a dramatic night at Dalymount Park tonight.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, United levelled the match six minutes from time when Paul Keagan’s ball from defence found Shane Barrett on the left who crossed for Eamon Zayed to head home.
The tie then went to extra-time and neither side could muster a winning goal, so the match headed to a penalty shoot-out.
Graham Gartland missed Drogheda’s first spot-kick, however Alex Valencia saw his effort saved by Drogheda goalkeeper Dan Connor.
With the tie level at 4-4 after the regulation five penalty kicks per side, the tie was decided in sudden death.
All of the remaining penalty takers – including both goalkeepers – converted to leave the match tied at 10-10.
Gartland then stepped up to take his second kick of the evening and missed once more, which opened the door for the Norwegians to qualify for the next round when Stefan Barlin converted.