Goal Scorers:

A five-star display by Keith Fahey helped get St. Pat’s get back on the winning track after the Richmond Park side’s tigerish tussle with hosts Drogheda.

Fahey was the star man by the proverbial country mile by scoring the opener and then setting up the clincher later in the first half.

The former Irish youth international caused the Drogs all sorts of problems and was the absolute difference between the sides on the night.

Fahey started alongside Karim El Khebir in the central midfield roles and soon helped his side into a 10th minute lead.

Brian Kelly’s poor header out fell to Fahey who skilfully lobbed Gary Rogers from 35 yards for a class finish.

The Drogs worked hard to get on terms after that but John Lester saw his shot saved by Adamson and then free-kicks by Andy Meyler and Lester flew over the crossbar.

A torrential downpour then visited proceedings and Drogheda’s misery was also added to in the 29th minute when Fahey sent a sublime ball through to Aidan O’Keeffe who raced in on goal before calmly side footing the ball past the advancing Rogers.

A great move in the 38th minute almost brought a third goal for the Saints but Mark Casey blazed over.

At the other end Declan O’Brien should have made more of a chance for the Drogs but he too fluffed the opportunity.

O’Brien was the guilty party again in t he 52nd minute when he rifled his shot over the top after Gavin Whelan’s cross broke kindly to him.

St. Pat’s came under increased pressure in the last third of the match but they held firm to take both points at stake.

© eleven-a-side.com

Drogheda United
Rogers, Flanagan, O’Connor, Lynch, Kelly, Whelan, Lester, Molloy, Cronin, O’Brien, Myler

St Patrick's Athletic
Adamson; Quigley, Byrne (Sheppard), el Khebir, Casey, Foley, Bell, Fahey, Smith, O'Keeffe, Dunne

Officials
Referee: J O'Neill