Sport

St Patrick's move five clear after Foley's late strike

SOCCER/League of Ireland Premier Division/St Patricks Athletic 1 Drogheda Utd 0: This contest, as intriguing as it was, never…

Paul O'Hehir at Richmond Park
Tue May 22 2007 - 01:00

SOCCER/League of Ireland Premier Division/St Patricks Athletic 1 Drogheda Utd 0:This contest, as intriguing as it was, never quite lived up to its billing. Not that John McDonnell will care having seen his side regroup after a sluggish start to nab full points, opening a five-point lead over their opponents in the process.

Colm Foley's header sealed matters, but Drogheda can feel hard done by. They grafted admirably throughout but eventually succumbed to a St Patrick's side who improved much on their woeful first-half offering.

In fact neither side demonstrated the free-flowing football that has typified their respective seasons. St Patrick's, in particular, were badly out of tune early on, squandering possession with sloppy passing and aimless balls forward. With Joseph Ndo and Alan Kirby sidelined, their midfield lacked the creativity of previous performances. The onus, then, was on Keith Fahey to provide a spark, yet he was well marshalled throughout the first half.

Drogheda, contending with a string of injuries themselves, were not much better in the opening exchanges but steadily improved and eventually lorded possession. Stephen Bradley's intelligent distribution served them well and he soon woke team-mates from their slumber. Shane Robinson and Eamon Zayed were most responsive, linking well and eager to stretch a home defence that was rapidly retreating.

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But St Patrick's emerged revitalised for the second half with Fahey stepping up his input. And he saved his most crucial contribution until the 80th minute. His fizzing free was headed home in a crowded box by Foley, the strike giving Drogheda their first league defeat.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Maguire, Brennan, C Foley; O'Connor, Fahey, M Foley, Murphy, Paisley; Quigley, O'Neill. Subs: Mulcahy for M Foley (59), Frost for O'Connor (89), Guy for O'Neill (90).

DROGHEDA UNITED: Vilmunen; Lynch, Gartland, Shelly, Gray; Robinson, Byrne, Bradley, Cahill; Fitzpatrick, Zayed. Subs: Grant for Fitzpatrick (72), Whelan for Cahill (77), Keegan for Bradley (84). Booked: Gartland (35).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin)