Impressive Drogheda United put on a show in front of Irish boss Heimir Hallgrimsson
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson saw no goals on his first-ever visit to Sullivan & Lambe Park but witnessed further evidence of the high standards in the League of Ireland's top flight as Drogheda United and St Patrick's played out an entertaining stalemate on Monday evening.
After this performance by the home side we can surely expect to see the Icelander at a few more Drogs matches in the coming months, and why wouldn't he because if he wants to see the cream of the crop in the domestic league then this is the place to be!
Drogheda's high press almost yielded instant dividends as Warren Davis nearly dispossessed Tom Grivosti and his keeper Joseph Anang in the opening seconds, with the bounce of the ball favouring Pats. Then Darragh Markey pickpocketed Chris Forrester and worked the ball forward to Thomas Oluwa and the striker's cross reached Owen Lambe who flashed a shot just over the bar.
Next to try his luck for the league leaders was Shane Farrell whose free kick struck the defensive wall after Davis had drawn a foul from Pat's full-back Al-Amin Kazeem.
Oluwa then caught former Drogs defender Joe Redmond napping with his lightning pace and was clean through on goal for a moment before the Pats captain got back to nick the ball away.
Drogs skipper Ryan Brennan was lucky to escape uninjured after taking a blow to the face from the boot of Ryan McLaughlin - a challenge that surely warranted at least a yellow card - and it was Brennan who nearly raised the roof with an audacious scissors kick that unfortunately he couldn't direct on target.
Pats' only real goal attempt of the first half came on 28 minutes - an off-target long-range header from Redmond - but seconds later Drogheda almost scored as Conor Kane, Markey and Davis were involved in a move which ended with a Farrell 25-yard drive that Anang tipped over the bar.
Bolger and Farrell both had attempts stopped by the big Pats keeper and Bolger headed another half-chance well wide at the near post from a Lambe delivery.
A measured pass from Keeley reached Davis who was unceremoniously fouled by Kazeem on the right edge of the box and Kane's curling free kick grazed the bar, with Anang well beaten.
Pats improved after the introduction of Ardee native Kian Leavy, who was typically industrious and clever in possession, but still the chances came Drogheda's way and Oluwa was close with a header before big claims for a penalty for a foul on Davis were ignored by referee Kevin O'Sullivan.
Pats sub Barry Baggley nearly stole all three points for his death in the 89th minute, though, with a 30-yard strike that Luke Dennison did very well to turn round the post.
Drogheda: Luke Dennison 7; Andrew Quinn 8, Conor Keeley 8, James Bolger 8; Owen Lambe 8 (Elicha Ahui 87), Ryan Brennan 8 (Luke Heeney 63, 7), Shane Farrell 8, Conor Kane 8; Darragh Markey 8; Warren Davis 8, Thomas Oluwa 8. Subs not used: Aaron Harper-Bailey, Paul Doyle, George Cooper, Bridel Bosakani, Kieran Cruise, Dare Kareem, Jack Brady.
St PATRICK'S: Joseph Anang 8; Ryan McLaughlin 6, Joe Redmond 7, Tom Grivosti 7, Al-Amin Kazeem 6 (Jake Mulraney 70, 6); Brandon Kavanagh 7 (Kian Leavy 63, 8), Chris Forrester 7 (Barry Baggley 70, 7), Jamie Lennon 7, Jason McClelland 6; Zachary Elbouzedi 6 (Conor Carty 80, 7), Mason Melia 7. Subs not used: Daniel Rogers, Sean Hoare, Anto Breslin, Axel Sjoberg, Luke Turner.
Attendance: 2,546
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