DROGHEDA United came from 3-1 down to force extra time only to lose 4-2 on penalties to Limerick in a thrilling Shield semi final second leg tie at Hogan Park yesterday.

Limerick qualify to play Galway United, who beat Athlone Town in the second semi final at Terryland Park, in the two legged final.

Drogheda, 3-1 down from Friday's first leg at United Park, levelled the scores at 4-4 after only 34 minutes. Player manager Anto Whelan and Michael Harte did the spade work for Mark Ennis to give Drogheda a fifth minute lead.

Limerick settled their nerves, or so they thought, when Paul Carr cracked home a deflected 30 yard free kick to make it 1-1 on the day in the 20th minutes. However, Philip Power restored Drogheda's lead following a corner 10 minutes later and Darren Newman levelled the aggregate score at 4-4 four minutes after that with a beautifully struck effort.

In the shoot out, Tony Izzi, Howard King, Carr and Anthony Tobin scored for Limerick while Hickey saved from John Reid with Ennis and Harte scoring from the spot for Drogheda who lost 4-2.

In a generally lacklustre game at Terryland Park, Galway United overturned a first leg defeat to beat Athlone Town 2-0 to qualify for the final on a 2-1 aggregate.