Drogheda United -v- St. Patrick’s Athletic

• Colman Hanley
• Fri, May 28 2010


Drogheda United continue their search for a first home win of the season against high flying St. Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday evening (kick-off 7:45pm).

The Boynesider’s poor home form was one reason for the departure of manager Alan Mathews, while a lack of commitment by the players was another reason repeatedly cited by the former boss.

However, having fought back from a two goal deficit against relegation rivals Bray Wanderers last week, caretaker manager Darius Kierans was full of praise for the player’s spirit.

“I was pleased with the way they responded, it’s not easy going in at half time and being 2-0 down but I think they showed what they are made of. It is very difficult to peg back a lead like that, but in the second half they put their heads down and showed real passion”.

Drogheda will be affected by injuries to Robbie Martin and Damien Brennan, former Saint Glen Fitzpatrick and Jamie Duffy will miss out through suspension, while Jamie Harris is an injury doubt. However, caretaker Kierans can welcome another ex-Saint back into his side as Gareth O’Connor is available having served a suspension. He praised the former Bournemouth midfielder and the job of his opposite number Pete Mahon.

“Having Gareth O’Connor available again is a big plus as he has been excellent all season for us. It is going to be a difficult game, especially with the players we have out. Pete has done a great job of organising his side and the league table doesn’t lie. They are going to be challenging all season and will be there or thereabouts at the end”.

St. Pat’s go into the game on the back of a passionate 3-1 win over Dublin rivals Bohemians. Sadly though, the game was marred by a horror tackle by Bohemians Mark Quigley on the Saints winger Gareth Coughlan, who was later found to have suffered a double fracture to his right leg and faces a lengthy spell out of the game.

Saint’s manager Pete Mahon can welcome David McAllister into the side having served a suspension, though Damien Lynch (hamstring) and Brian Cash (thigh) remain out. Having pulled out of the Ireland Under-23 panel midweek because of an achilles injury, Ian Bermingham will undergo a late fitness test, while Paul Byrne will also be assess having played 45 minutes against England midweek.

Mahon expressed the danger his side face following their earlier home defeats to Drogheda in both the Airtricity league and Leinster Senior Cup this season. “Drogheda are the only side to have beaten us twice this season and that is something we’ll be looking to rectify. I thought their win against us in the league was a little bit against the run of play but we did not play well ourselves that night”.

“Ideally we want to be heading into the break up near the top of the table and that means going up there to win but it won’t be easy to come away with three points. They’ve some very good players, they’re fighting for their lives at the moment and with a new management team in place their players will definitely be out to impress”.

Venue Hunky Dory’s Park
Referee: Alan Kelly
Paddypower.com Odds: Drogheda United 7/2, Draw 23/10, St. Pat’s 7/10.

Drogheda United
Injured: Damien Brennan, Robbie Martin.
Doubtful: Jamie Harris
Suspended: Glen Fitzpatrick, Jamie Duffy.

St. Patrick’s Athletic:
Injured: Damien Lynch, Brian Cash, Gareth Coughlan.
Doubtful: Ian Bermingham, Paul Byrne.
Suspended: None.

Extratime Prediction: Saints to go marching on, 1-2.