Drogheda United assistant manager John Gill praised his side’s performance as they ran out 2-0 winners over St Patrick’s Athletic at United Park. A second-half strike from Jake Hyland and an own goal deep into stoppage time from Patrick Cregg seale
Drogheda United assistant manager John Gill praised his side’s performance as they ran out 2-0 winners over St Patrick’s Athletic at United Park. A second-half strike from Jake Hyland and an own goal deep into stoppage time from Patrick Cregg sealed a second successive win for the Drogs and Gill has been delighted with their start to the season. “It’s a great platform for us to build on,” Gill explained shortly after the game. “The conditions were very difficult for both teams but we coped well with them. We were able to mix our game up and I thought we fully deserved the win. “We started the stronger and could’ve scored early on but our fitness levels were phenomenal throughout. Our game plan that we worked on all week in training paid off and that’s very satisfying but it’s still only two games into the season.” Despite their dominance, the Drogheda goal lived a charmed life at times as Gavin Brennan cleared an effort off the line while Billy Dennehy struck the post with Gill acknowledging that the major moments of the game favoured the hosts. “We could’ve been a goal up before those chances and it’s amazing how moments can change football games,” he continued. “It was the same last week, Galway had the bulk of possession, didn’t take their chances but tonight we did. “It’s also our second clean sheet on the bounce and some of the last ditch defending was magnificent, the players really put their bodies on the line. “ The 53-year-old also reserved special praise for winger Thomas Byrne who made his home debut having joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in the off-season. “I think Thomas is a special talent. He’s only 18 and there are certain areas of the game where he has to improve but everyone could see tonight the quality he has. He made a huge impact for us off the bench last week in Galway and he did it from the start again tonight.”Robert O'Reilly
