League Preview: Drogheda United -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

St Patrick’s Athletic are back in SSE Airtricity League action this bank holiday Monday as Liam Buckley’s Saints travel up the M1 to face Drogheda United, kick-off in United Park is at 6pm. 

DROGHEDA UNITED

Having not lost in the first six league games, Drogheda United come into this Easter Monday clash on the back of two consecutive defeats; a 2-0 loss at home to Bray Wanderers and a 3-1 beating to Cork City at Turner’s Cross.

Manager Robbie Horgan rued the failure to convert a penalty against the Rebels at 0-0 believing failure to take chances was the difference between the sides.  

“It was a missed opportunity on Friday, especially considering that we had a penalty at 0-0. You don’t get too many chances down at Cork but we cut them open on several occasions and should have been in the lead at the break. To be fair, Cork picked up their performance in the second half. They took their chances where we didn’t and that was what separated the sides.

Horgan, who previously worked with Pats boss Liam Buckley at the ill-fated Sporting Fingal, is looking forward to the challenge of taking on his former colleague.

“I know Liam Buckley well from our time together at Sporting Fingal and it’s interesting to see that probably for the first time in years that Liam has changed the shape of his team from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1. Perhaps this is a means of accommodating his best players into the side given the depth of quality that they have.

“The champions are always the team to beat but with the way the league has gone so far it is impossible to tell. They are a good side and I got a detailed match report on how they performed on Friday, which was very complimentary on how they played. They have quality throughout their squad but we have had good results against them through the years and we will be aiming to come out on top again tomorrow.”

Michéal Schlingermann and Austin McCann are the only players unavailable for Monday’s clash at home to St. Patrick’s Athletic. Schlingermann is close to a return to the side while McCann will miss the remainder of the season. Drogheda have no suspension concerns.  

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints will be looking to maintain their unbeaten away record of one win and two draws in the league to date, while victory on Monday would see the Inchicore side record four successive league wins in a row. 
 

“I was really pleased with Friday night and the win over Bohemians,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com. “After going a goal down, we responded really well and in the second half, we played some good football. However that is in the past now and our attention is 100% on Drogheda.” 

“Robbie Horgan has come in as their new manager this year and has brought a good squad of players together. They’ve had a good start to the season and will be tough opponents on Monday. We’re looking forward to the challenge though, and hopefully we can get the three points.” 
 

It was at the end of the 2008 season that Saints’ midfielder Keith Fahey left the club to join then English Championship side Birmingham City and go on to achieve great success both at club and international level. Speaking tostpatsfc.com in the lead up to his first visit back to United Park with the Saints, Fahey spoke of his fond recollections of his last game there in November 2008. 
 

“I remember that game well. I scored and we won 2-0, and Ryan Guy got the other goal. I remember that I wasn’t 100% nailed on to leave the club, but for some reason I felt it was going to be my last game, and everyone kind of knew it,” Fahey admitted. “The fans were very good to me that night, and hopefully this Monday will be another good night and we can pick up another win.” 

As a former Drogheda United player and having played a crucial part in the Boynesider’s 2006 Setanta Sports Cup success, Fahey knows the club all too well. Having been a teammate to several of their current players in the past, the Tallaght born midfielder expects his former club to test the Saints. 

“I’d know and have played with some of the lads up there, the likes of Alan McNally and Fabio O’Brien for example. I know they had a disappointing result last week, but on the whole Drogheda have had a good start to the season. But from our point of view, we’re on a good run of form now with three league wins in a row so we’re looking forward to the game.” 

In team news, Kenny Browne sits out the game as he serves a one match ban for accumulating four yellow cards. Otherwise Saints’ boss Liam Buckley reports that he hopes to have a full squad to choose from, with Killian Brennan and Greg Bolger coming back into contention having served suspensions. 
 

Referee: R. Rogers

MATCH STATS

St Patrick’s Athletic have not lost on their travels this season.

Both Drogheda United and St. Patrick’s Athletic have scored 13 goals this season.

Last season the sides met three times, Pat’s winning twice with the final game ending as a scoreless draw in Inchicore. St. Patrick's Ath 1 - 0 Drogheda United; Drogheda United 1 - 2 St. Patrick's Ath; St. Patrick's Ath 0 - 0 Drogheda United

BETTING

Drogheda United 10/3; Draw 9/4; St. Patrick’s Athletic 17/20

PREDICITION

St. Pat’s to win 2-1

Drogheda United

Injured: Michael Schlingermann, Austin McCann

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Kenny Browne