Pico sees red in Shamrock Rovers stalemate at Drogheda
Shamrock Rovers captain Pico Lopes was sent off during a scoreless draw against Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division. The match followed a difficult week for the team, which included a recent exit from the Champions League.
Why it matters
Highlights the challenges faced by professional football clubs balancing domestic league commitments with high-stakes European competition.
Pico Lopes can do no wrong, until he can. Exactly four weeks to the day that the Crumlin-born Cape Verde star went toe-to-toe with Lionel Messi and Argentina in the World Cup round of 32 clash in Miami, the Shamrock Rovers captain was shown his marching orders in injury time at Drogheda United.
The home fans enjoyed that one. The man watched by hundreds of millions of fans around the world just a few weeks ago, now sent off in front of 2,289 in Drogheda. He can have few complaints about it, his challenge on Shane Farrell was late and high.
It didn't affect the outcome of the game, this one had scoreless draw written all over it at half-time as those in attendance stewed over a game severely lacking in quality.
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