St Patricks Athletic -v- Drogheda United
Credit:
St Patricks Athletic take on bottom of the table Drogheda United at Richmond Park on Friday night. (Kick off, 7.45pm)
With Pats placed just above the relegation places, manager Pete Mahon knows the importance of this game. “We are in no doubt that tomorrow is a crucial game for us. I always say it, but it won’t be an easy game, there are no easy games in this League anymore.”
Mahon also knows that it will up to his team to make home advantage count. “Playing at home tomorrow, the onus is on us to win. We are probably slight favourites going into the game. It is the games which we are expected to win which cause us problems. We need to learn to deal with this pressure, as how we handle this will determine where we will finish in the League” added the Pats boss.
The home team will be without captain Conor Kenna once again, who misses out with a long-term injury. Neil Harney (calf) and James O’Brien (ankle) also miss out, having picked up injuries during last Monday’s League Cup victory over Shamrock Rovers. On a more positive front, Dave Mulcahy and Anthony Murphy are included in the squad having recovered from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.
Pats can be encouraged by their last two results which saw them draw away to Derry in the League and then beat Shamrock Roves in the League Cup on Monday. Mahon will be hoping the home crowd can get behind the team. “I am hoping for another good crowd tomorrow. We had a great traveling support in the Brandywell last Friday and the noise and colour during Monday’s game was great. We need the same support tomorrow as we look to continue our climb up the table.”
Drogheda are without a win in their last five league and cup games and have taken just one point from twelve in the league. Manager Mick Cooke knows what the priority is for the season. “The players and management will work tirelessly to keep the team in the Premier Division” said Cooke.
St Patricks Athletic
Injured: Conor Kenna, Neil Harney and James O'Brien.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Drogheda United
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Unavailable.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Betting: St Pats 4/11; Draw 16/5; Away 8/1.
Extratime.ie Prediction: St Pats 2-0 Drogheda.
With Pats placed just above the relegation places, manager Pete Mahon knows the importance of this game. “We are in no doubt that tomorrow is a crucial game for us. I always say it, but it won’t be an easy game, there are no easy games in this League anymore.”
Mahon also knows that it will up to his team to make home advantage count. “Playing at home tomorrow, the onus is on us to win. We are probably slight favourites going into the game. It is the games which we are expected to win which cause us problems. We need to learn to deal with this pressure, as how we handle this will determine where we will finish in the League” added the Pats boss.
The home team will be without captain Conor Kenna once again, who misses out with a long-term injury. Neil Harney (calf) and James O’Brien (ankle) also miss out, having picked up injuries during last Monday’s League Cup victory over Shamrock Rovers. On a more positive front, Dave Mulcahy and Anthony Murphy are included in the squad having recovered from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.
Pats can be encouraged by their last two results which saw them draw away to Derry in the League and then beat Shamrock Roves in the League Cup on Monday. Mahon will be hoping the home crowd can get behind the team. “I am hoping for another good crowd tomorrow. We had a great traveling support in the Brandywell last Friday and the noise and colour during Monday’s game was great. We need the same support tomorrow as we look to continue our climb up the table.”
Drogheda are without a win in their last five league and cup games and have taken just one point from twelve in the league. Manager Mick Cooke knows what the priority is for the season. “The players and management will work tirelessly to keep the team in the Premier Division” said Cooke.
St Patricks Athletic
Injured: Conor Kenna, Neil Harney and James O'Brien.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Drogheda United
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Unavailable.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Betting: St Pats 4/11; Draw 16/5; Away 8/1.
Extratime.ie Prediction: St Pats 2-0 Drogheda.
