General
- Thursday August 1st, 2013 @ 15:53
Saints-Drogheda Team News
Drogheda United are the visitors to Richmond Park on Friday as Liam Buckley’s side look to secure their third win of the season against the Boynesiders, kick-off is 7.45pm.
Games between the two sides have been tight affairs in recent times with the Saints claiming a narrow 1-0 victory in the opening game of the season and a late 2-1 away win in Drogheda thanks to a 93rd minute Killian Brennan penalty. Contrastly, Drogheda were one of only three sides to record an away league win in Inchicore last year.
For Saints’ defender Ian Bermingham, the game could represent a landmark 100 league appearances should he feature on Friday. The Ballyfermot born defender told stpatsfc.com that it would be an achievement he would be proud, moreso because of having supported the club as a youngster.
“I didn’t realise it was my 100th league game, but hearing that now makes me feel like an old fella to be honest,” Bermingham joked. “But seriously though, it is something I’m chuffed about when I think about it, especially as a local lad and someone who went down to watch a few Pats games when I was younger.”
On the challenge that Drogheda will pose the Saints on Friday, Bermingham admitted that he is expecting a difficult game against Mick Cooke’s side.
“Drogheda are always tough and we’ve had loads of close games with them since I’ve been at the club. They set themselves up well so the onus will be on us as the home side to try and get possession of the ball and break them down.”
“Last week we did that against Cork and showed great character to win. We’ve shown we can see games out, grind out results and last week we came back from going down a goal so we’re hoping to get the three points on Friday.”
In team news, Shane McFaul is a doubt with a groin injury picked in the warm-up before last week’s 2-1 win against Cork City. Saints’ full-back Ger O’Brien meanwhile is in line for his 50th league game for the Inchicore side, while Jake Kelly will make his 50th all time appearance for the Saints should he feature.
“Drogheda are always a tough side for any team to play against. We’ve had two tight games with them this year, they reached the Setanta Cup final earlier in the year and like ourselves are in the latter stages of the cup,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com.
“We know they’ll be difficult opponents, so we’ll be looking to get the performance right on Friday and hopefully then the result will come.”
