Burns goal helps St Pat’s earn a draw against Drogheda

A 77th-minute goal from Darragh Burns helped St Patrick’s Athletic to secure a 1-1 draw with Drogheda United at Richmond Park this evening.

Despite being five places below their opponents in the table coming into this game, Drogheda took the lead through Dayle Rooney in the first half.

It looked like an away success might be on the cards for large stretches, until Burns – fresh from his call-up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad – came up with an equaliser inside the final-quarter.

While this seems like a missed opportunity on the surface for the Saints, there was something to be gained from avoiding defeat for the second game in succession.

Following their 2-1 reversal to Derry City a fortnight ago, Pat’s boss Tim Clancy was looking to bounce back against his former charges.

Mark Doyle was also facing Drogheda for the first time as an opposition player, but his current side found themselves chasing the game during the opening period.

Captained by Knocklyon native Dane Massey, the visitors edged in front just shy of the 20-minute mark.

On loan from Shamrock Rovers for the 2022 season, Darragh Nugent provided the spadework for the Co. Louth men’s deadlock-breaker.

His ball into the area from the left-flank eventually fell towards Rooney, who took it around Pat’s custodian Joseph Anang before firing home. This was an early set-back for the hosts and they remained one goal adrift at the interval.

Pat’s had their attacking moments prior to the break, with Eoin Doyle and Mark Doyle both posing a threat to the Drogs goal. The latter headed inches over the bar, in advance of the Saints finally opening their account 13 minutes from time.

Capitalising on excellent approach work by Ben McCormack and Anto Breslin, Burns supplied the finishing touches from close-range.

There was still enough time left on the clock for St Pat’s to claim a winner, but they ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils.