Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Drogheda United
- Niall Farrell
- Fri, Aug 19 2011
Drogheda United manager Mick Cooke will hope that his side can extend their good form and upset St. Pat's at home in Richmond Park on Friday night (7.45pm).
His side sit second from bottom, a point off UCD, but a win in Inchicore would mark Drogheda's fourth game without losing. Cooke is understandably pleased with his side's form. “The consistency of our recent form is possibly the most pleasing aspect of the last few weeks" he said. "We have managed to get seven points from three games."
Assistant Manager John Gill says that Pat's will have their minds fully on tomorrow's match after a turbulent end to their Europa League campaign. “Off-field matters have been well documented of late, but training has gone very well this week," he said. "There is a good vibe within the team and the players are very positive ahead of the games on Friday and Monday."
Pats can also look ahead to a Dublin derby on Monday with Bohs the opponents in Richmond Park. Their last game was a disappointing loss to Derry City, but Gill is confident that Pat's will recover. "Obviously we are very disappointed with the manner of the defeat last week" Gill admitted. "It was the concession of sloppy goals that cost us the game and we have been working on this at training this week as we need to cut out the individual errors.”
The Saints have gone five matches without winning in the league, but Pete Mahon will be hopeful of a win against Drogheda- particularly as he is able to welcome key players Gary Rogers and Shane McFaul back from suspension.
Sean O'Connor is the only doubt for the Saints, he could miss out after sustaining a calf strain. Drogheda have a few injury concerns of their own. Colin O'Brien and Jack Flynn will miss out again, while Peter McMahon has also picked up an injury.
Drogheda were perhaps a bit unlucky to only draw in last week's Louth derby against Dundalk, but Mick Cooke said that they only had themselves to blame. "We did lose our concentration a little against Dundalk and we were punished for it. It's something we can't do again" he said. "St. Pat's are going to be awkward, they are going through a blip, but I'm sure they will see us as a chance to get back on track.”
St. Patrick's Athletic
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Sean O'Connor.
Suspended: None.
Drogheda United
Injured: Jack Flynn, Colin O'Brien, Peter McMahon.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Padraig Sutton.
Paddy Power Odds: Pat's 2/7, Draw 4/1, Drogheda United 9/1.
Extratime prediction: 1-1.
About Niall Farrell
Niall Farrell is our correspondent at Tolka Park, covering the goings-on at Shelbourne. You can visit Niall's website for further information and contact details- niallf.net.