ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC jumped to second in the league, three points behind Sligo Rovers, after an injury time win over Drogheda.
The Saints were playing out a banal Bank Holiday Monday clash with Drogs at Hunky Dory Park before a final 20 minutes that could only be described as bedlam.
The home side were awarded a penalty on 71 minutes but forward Declan O’Brien blazed his effort wide. The Dubliners pounced on the penalty miss as a sign that the tie was destined to be theirs and were rewarded 10 minutes later. Ger O’Brien advanced from defence and got in behind the Drogheda backline before teeing up Christy Fagan to slot home.
The hosts pressed for an equaliser and had an appeal for a second penalty dismissed before finally leveling matters. There was a spot of head tennis in the Pats’ box before Ryan Brennan dispatched a classy volley.
Liam Buckley’s men quickly regrouped and piled forward. With the ultimate attack of the match, referee Tom Connolly spotted a handball in the Drogheda box. The pressure built on penalty taker Killian Brennan as arguments about the awarding of the spot-kick ensued. The midfielder kept his nerve to place the ball past Gabriel Sava in the Drogheda goal.
Brennan smashes home the winning penalty. (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
In the afternoon’s other earlier kick-off, Limerick FC defeated Cork City 3-2 at Thomond Park. Aaron Browne put the league newcomers level at 1-1 after Denis Behan had opened the scoring for Cork. Axel Bossekota edged Limerick ahead before Cork, now reduced to 10 men after a Darren Dennehy red card, hit back through Shane Duggan.
Limerick had the last laugh, however, as Dave O’Leary snatched a 73rd minute winner.
