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

• Josh Dolan
• Thu, Oct 09 2014



DROGHEDA UNITED
United head into their penultimate home game of the 2014 season against FAI Ford Cup finalists St Pat’s on the back of a narrow 2-1 defeat away to second place Cork City.
 
Due to several injuries and suspensions, Drogs boss Damien Richardson was forced to start without a natural striker at Turner's Cross last week. However Richardson insists that he was delighted with his side’s display that left the Rebels faithful fans full of nerves right to the final whistle last Friday night.
 
“I was very pleased with our performance in Cork as we were without a centre forward from the start due to knocks and injuries so we started Gavin (Brennan) in an unfamiliar position,” the 67 year old manager explained.  "Despite that we had the home crowd at Turner's Cross on tenterhooks at the end and I was full of admiration for the character that the players showed."
 
Brennan who started in the most advanced position for the Louth outfit last week saw red minutes after the hour mark for a foul on Cork midfielder Josh O’Shea.
 
That was the third time the winger had been sent-off in the league this season. Richardson admits that he has spoken to Brennan about his disciplinary record and insists that himself and the player are working hard to eradicate the problem from Brennan’s game.
 
“It was a horrible experience for him and he’s been very down over the last week. We spoke about it yesterday and he realises that it’s something that has to become part of his past. Gavin seems determined to get to grips with the problem and he remains a great asset to the team. “
 
The last time the sides met in the league the Boynesiders were beaten 6-0 by Liam Buckley’s Saints. However, despite being an admirer of Buckley’s side, Richardson is anticipating that his team will give the Inchicore side a much closer game this time around.
 
“There is a stronger character to this team and I’m expecting a much closer game against St. Pat’s than in the past and I’m hoping that we can win,” the Dubliner admitted.
 
Cathal Brady will miss Friday’s tie with an ankle injury. Mick Daly is a doubt for the game due to a back problem, while Gavin Brennan will miss the fixture through suspension.
 
 
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
 
The Saints will be looking to strengthen their hold on third place when they travel to Louth to face eighth placed Drogheda at United Park on Friday night.
 
A Pat’s win, coupled with a Shamrock Rovers defeat to Bray Wanderers, would secure third spot in the talbe and a place in the Europa League qualifers for Liam Buckley’s side next season.
 
Saints boss Buckley is eager to finish the season strongly and secure the league’s third and final European spot.
 
“We want to finish as high as possible in the league, so if that is third position, we want to secure that as soon as possible,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com.
 
However, Buckley knows that his side will not have it easy against Damien Richardon’s team on Friday, while insisting that his side will have to play as well as they did in their FAI Cup semi-final tie against Finn Harps last weekend to achieve a result on Friday night.
 
“Drogheda however will be tough opponents on Friday and Damien Richardson will have them well organised and ready for the game.  We took our chances well last Friday so we’ll be looking for that similar level of performance and standard this week against Drogheda.”
 
Saints wInger Conan Byrne believes that Friday’s game will be good test for himself and his teammates as they look to finish their league campaign effectively.
 
“We need to make sure we put in full 90 minute performances between now and the end of the season, so Friday will be a good test for us as Drogheda are a good side with some talented players," Byrne explained to stpatsfc.com.
 
Mark Quigley will miss the trip due to a back injury. James Chambers will miss out through suspension, while Greg Bolger is set to return to the squad after missing last week’s FAI Cup semi-final victory through suspension.
 
 
Referee: James McKell.
 
 
MATCH STATS
St Pat’s have lost just three times on the road this season. No Premier Division side have lost fewer matches.
 
Drogheda last beat St. Pat’s in the league at United Park back in October 2011.
 
The Saints are unbeaten in each game after their respective FAI Cup ties this season.
 
 
BETTING
Drogheda United 4/1; Draw 13/5; St Patrick’s Athletic 4/6.
 
 
PREDICTION
Drogheda United 0-1 St Patrick’s Athletic.
 
 
Drogheda United
 
Injured: Cathal Brady (Hamstring).
Doubtful: Mick Daly (Back).
Suspended: Gavin Brennan.
 
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
 
Injured: Mark Quigley (Back).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: James Chambers.