KILLIAN BRENNAN BROKE Drogheda hearts on his return to his hometown as he set St Pat’s on their way to a 2-0 win over their opponents at United Park, their fifth straight league victory.
The 31-year-old is one of four Brennan brothers playing in the league and the only one who has never turned out for his local side. Contesting the midfield battle with his brother Sean in Drogheda charet-and-blue, the Saints midfielder was in the thick of the action throughout.
After just 10 minutes, Brennan’s left-footed free-kick from just outside the area smacked off the crossbar with goalkeeper Micheal Schingermann well beaten. While Pat’s saw much of the ball, Drogheda themselves were not overawed and were very much in the game, creating decent chances in an even first-half.
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Both midfielder Mark Hughes and striker Tiernan Mulvenna saw shots curl just wide of the goal, before Ian Bermingham did well to get a toe on Adam Whelan’s shot to turn it behind.
But, Brennan was at it again on the half-hour mark. He was fouled in the box by Whelan — a clumsy if not malicious challenge — and referee Rob Rogers pointed to the spot. Brennan himself took it, but Schlingermann denied him, diving right to make a super save.
Moments after the restart, Ger O’Brien took aim from 25 yards just after the break and his shot beat Schlingermann but bounced down off the bar and away, with Pat’s pressing and eager to make the breakthrough.
Finally, the goal did arrive, as the visitors’ dominance grew. In the 75th minute, Conan Byrne’s corner was met by the head of Brennan, who powered in from close range. Byrne himself, a man no stranger to a goal against the Drogs, was making his first league appearance since May.
Then, in injury time, sub Morgan Langley squared the ball for McGrath who ended a lively performance with his first league goal of the season, tapping into the empty net.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Killian Brennan (St Pat’s)
DROGHEDA UNITED: Micheal Schlingermann, Mick Daly, Alan Byrne, Robert O’Reilly, Joe Gorman, Mark Hughes (Stephen Maher, 77), Sean Thornton, Sean Brennan (Robert Bayly, 77), Adam Whelan (Ger Pender, 80), Jason Marks, Tiernan Mulvenna.
Substitutes: Evin Farrell, Robert McKenna, Manuel Kaguako, Cathal Brady.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Brendan Clarke, Ger O’Brien, Jason McGuinness, Kenny Browne, Ian Bermingham, Greg Bolger, Killian Brennan, Conan Byrne (Conor McCormack, 87), Jamie McGrath, Aaron Greene (Morgan Langley, 73), Chris Forrester.
Substitutes: Conor O’Malley, Jack Bayly, Cyril Guedje, Sam Verdon, Ciaran Kilduff.
No signs of Europa League hangover as Pat's overcome Drogheda
Updated at 22.44
Drogheda 0-2 St Pat’s
KILLIAN BRENNAN BROKE Drogheda hearts on his return to his hometown as he set St Pat’s on their way to a 2-0 win over their opponents at United Park, their fifth straight league victory.
The 31-year-old is one of four Brennan brothers playing in the league and the only one who has never turned out for his local side. Contesting the midfield battle with his brother Sean in Drogheda charet-and-blue, the Saints midfielder was in the thick of the action throughout.
After just 10 minutes, Brennan’s left-footed free-kick from just outside the area smacked off the crossbar with goalkeeper Micheal Schingermann well beaten. While Pat’s saw much of the ball, Drogheda themselves were not overawed and were very much in the game, creating decent chances in an even first-half.
Both midfielder Mark Hughes and striker Tiernan Mulvenna saw shots curl just wide of the goal, before Ian Bermingham did well to get a toe on Adam Whelan’s shot to turn it behind.
But, Brennan was at it again on the half-hour mark. He was fouled in the box by Whelan — a clumsy if not malicious challenge — and referee Rob Rogers pointed to the spot. Brennan himself took it, but Schlingermann denied him, diving right to make a super save.
Moments after the restart, Ger O’Brien took aim from 25 yards just after the break and his shot beat Schlingermann but bounced down off the bar and away, with Pat’s pressing and eager to make the breakthrough.
Finally, the goal did arrive, as the visitors’ dominance grew. In the 75th minute, Conan Byrne’s corner was met by the head of Brennan, who powered in from close range. Byrne himself, a man no stranger to a goal against the Drogs, was making his first league appearance since May.
Then, in injury time, sub Morgan Langley squared the ball for McGrath who ended a lively performance with his first league goal of the season, tapping into the empty net.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Killian Brennan (St Pat’s)
DROGHEDA UNITED: Micheal Schlingermann, Mick Daly, Alan Byrne, Robert O’Reilly, Joe Gorman, Mark Hughes (Stephen Maher, 77), Sean Thornton, Sean Brennan (Robert Bayly, 77), Adam Whelan (Ger Pender, 80), Jason Marks, Tiernan Mulvenna.
Substitutes: Evin Farrell, Robert McKenna, Manuel Kaguako, Cathal Brady.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Brendan Clarke, Ger O’Brien, Jason McGuinness, Kenny Browne, Ian Bermingham, Greg Bolger, Killian Brennan, Conan Byrne (Conor McCormack, 87), Jamie McGrath, Aaron Greene (Morgan Langley, 73), Chris Forrester.
Substitutes: Conor O’Malley, Jack Bayly, Cyril Guedje, Sam Verdon, Ciaran Kilduff.
REFEREE: Rob Rogers
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Jamie McGrath Killian Brennan Report Drogheda United St Patrick's Winning