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

Pats Manager Alan Matthews alongside First Team Head Coach Stephen O'Donnell.

Pats Manager Alan Matthews alongside First Team Head Coach Stephen O'Donnell. Credit: Timmy Keane (ETPhotos)

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Pats will be looking for their first win of the season after a hard fought draw away to Champions Shamrock Rovers last Friday night. The Saints welcome newly promoted Drogheda United to Richmond Park on Saturday. (Kick off 4pm)

Robbie Benson’s deflected effort in Tallaght was not enough for Stephen O’Donnell’s side to kick off the season on a winning note as Aaron Greene’s header snatched a point for Rovers.

Nevertheless, finding consistency is important for Stephen O’Donnell’s side and they will need to produce a similar performance to beat Drogheda. 

The Saints have a full squad to choose from.

Manager Alan Mathews said about the Louth side ahead of the game: “Drogheda will be a very difficult opponent. They deservedly won the First Division last year and Tim Clancy has added really well with the players he has brought in, so we know we are going to be in for a tough task.”

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogs marked their return to the top flight with a deserved win at home to Waterford courtesy of a Cameron Evans own goal.

The First Division Champions travel to Inchicore looking to make it back to back wins to start the season.

Tim Clancy’s side shouldn’t fear going to Richmond Park given the momentum and feel good factor around the squad at the moment. 



“We know it’s going to be very difficult, they are a really good possession based team so there are going to be spells where we don’t have the ball for quite a bit so we’re going to have to be patient and disciplined,” Clancy said.

Referee: John McLoughlin

MATCH FACTS

The last League meeting between the sides was 2017 when a Christy Fagan goal was enough for a 1-0 win for Pats.

In the previous nine Premier Division meetings there have been 29 goals scored.

Both sides’ goals last weekend were own goals.



Should Darragh Markey feature for Drogheda, he will be facing his former club.

BETTING

St Pats 6/10 Draw 13/5 Drogheda 4/1

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 Drogheda United

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Drogheda United

Injured: Mark Hughes

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

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