Academy
- Tuesday March 27th, 2007 @ 16:56
SEVENTEENS SHADE DROGHEDA
OUR UNDER 17s AND DROGHEDA BOYS locked horns for the 3rd time this season. With the Saints winning the previous league encounter and with the lads from Louth deserving their 2-1 win to advance to the FAI Cup Quarter Finals - football fate decreed both teams had to do battle again - this time in the Leinster Youths Cup.
On a bright cold sunny morning the 2 teams served up a typical encounter of 2 sides that have gotten to know each very well. Following last weeks defeat Pat's manager Brian Dalton made 3 changes to his starting 11 and from the outset the young Saints started off at a very high tempo
Both sides had chances to take the lead in an entertaining 1st half before Saints striker Andy Haran was put through by Jack Flynn, and from 15 yards he despatched a low shot past the Drogs keeper Cian Byrne.
The 2nd half was a stern challenge for the Saints back 4. However, superbly marshalled by David Fagan they stood solid and resolute. Drogheda were limited to half chances as forwards McQuillan and Walsh were just unable to apply the necessary finish for the “Claret and Blues”.
Indeed it was the Saints who came closest to a 2nd goal when Glen Kirwan tried his luck from 30 yards with Byrne producing another excellent save to deny him.
After nearly 7 minutes of added time Drog's substitute Karl Dyas came closest for the visitors but Pats keeper Sean Brazil was equal to the challenge with a point blank save to deny Drogheda a very late equaliser. The Saints now advance to the next round and gained some measure of revenge for their defeat in the FAI Cup.
