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Chris Forrester celebrates his side's second by sticking the ball up his jersey. Cathal Noonan/INPHO
six for saints

Conan slays Drogs as Saints hit six in Richmond riot

Christy Fagan helped himself to a brace and Chris Forrester completed the rout.

St Patrick’s 6-0 Drogheda

ST PATRICKS ATHLETIC had the run of Richmond Park in a facile 6-0 win for the champions over lowly Drogheda United. A hat trick for Conan Byrne, two for Chris Forrester with one from Christy Fagan made it two wins from two for the Inchicore side on the Bank Holiday weekend.

St Pats could have been forgiven for resting on their laurels after an impressive 5-2 win last Friday night but the champions are eager to keep their title in Inchicore in the face of an impressive challenge from Dundalk.

Liam Buckley’s side, as expected, started the brighter. Ian Bermingham, stand in captain, for the injured Ger O’Brien, was a handful for Drogheda, who started with only two recognised defenders in Paul Andrews and Daire Doyle.

The opening goal started with Keith Fahey; the former Birmingham City midfielder cut a diagonal ball into the direction of skipper Bermingham who laid the pass onto wonder kid Forrester to hit home.

That early goal, after six minutes, killed any momentum from Drogheda. 10 minutes after the opener Drogheda were cut open once more. The notable Byrne whipped in a cross that missed the boot of the oncoming Killian Brennan but ended up in the path of the scavenger, Bermingham, who crossed a second time to meet team mate Fagan in the box who hit home with a deft flick.

The third goal, coming minutes before half time, was a just reward for impressive pressing by the Saints midfield. Byrne was released down the right once again who turned inside to hit a tame shot cum cross but the ball evaded the Pat’s forwards and Drogheda defence to trickle into the goal.

Conan Byrne celebrates scoring a goal St. Patrick's Athletic's Conan Byrne celebrates scoring a goal with Killian Brennan and James Chambers. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

St Pats who meet Dundalk next in the league did not relent after the break with Forrester picking up his second of the night. The winger curled his sides fourth after good work by team mate Fagan.

With so many competitive games coming up the competition for places is tense in St Pats. One man who had been yo-yoing in and out of the side as of late, Brennan, was keen to make up for lost time. The marauding midfielder nearly nicked a goal for himself when he met Conor McCormack’s ball with a galloping run but his touch wasn’t good enough to guide it into the net.

The mauling was not finished yet. Man of the match, Byrne, nicked his second then third when he met a super ball from substitute, Mark Quigley, to knock it in for 5-0 but minutes from time Byrne popped up to seal the victory and his trick. Bermingham chased a nothing ball down and laid on a cross for the galloping Byrne to knock it in for 6-0.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Clarke (Gilmartin, 45); McCormack, Hoare, Browne, Bermingham; Brennan, Fahey, Chambers; Byrne, Forrester (Kavanagh, 71), Fagan (Quigley, 62).

Substitutes: Gilmartin, Verdon, Quigley, Fitzgerald, Lynch, Kavanagh, Oman.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Ryan; Holohan, Doyle, Andrews, Brennan; Daly, Crowley; Walshe, O’Connor, Brady (Foley, 56); O’Neill (Hughes, 56).

Substitutes: Connolly, McNally, Hughes, O’Brien, Foley, Mahon, Kierans.

Referee: Dave McKeon.

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