Drogheda United 0 St Patrick’s Athletic 4

A commanding performance from St Patrick’s Athletic consigned hosts Drogheda United to their third consecutive League defeat at United Park.

Drogs boss Robbie Horgan opted to rest both Gary O’Neill and seven-goal talisman Declan O’Brien, and his side struggled to create anything in the first half. Yet with 35 minutes gone neither side had managed a shot on target.

All that changed in the lead-up to the half time. The visitors took the lead when Christy Fagan showed the Drogs defence a clean pair of heels down the right and cut inside Ciaran McGuigan. Fagan’s shot was saved by David Ryan, but the rebound fell for Lee Lynch who finished from six yards.

The champions’ second came in spectacular fashion when Chris Forrester half-volleyed home from 35 yards.

Even the second-half introduction of O’Neill and O’Brien could not rouse Drogheda, and Conan Byrne put the result beyond doubt on 71 minutes with a right-footed finish from close range.

On 90 minutes Forrester got his second of the game as he skipped past several Drogheda defenders and keeper Ryan, before finishing into an empty net.