Observe: Drone interrupts match as St. Pat’s Cruise to win in Drogheda

Tim Clancy made a satisfying return to Drogheda as St Patrick’s Athletic delivered the perfect home game response with a four-goal win of their own at Head In The Game Park last week.

The visitors scored twice in the first half to establish a comfortable lead against Drogheda, where Tim Clancy coached for four years before leaving for Inchicore.

16-year-old Sam Curtis was making his first start for the club but it was another teenager who touring fans toasted early on. Billy King’s cross from the touchline was met at the back post by 19-year-old Darragh Burns. His header hit the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Sam Long helpless.

United grew into the game, albeit briefly and with little to show for their efforts in an offensive sense. Billy King saw a shot saved while Pat threatened a second.

That was fitting when Eoin Doyle slammed into Ben McCormack’s defensive pass. The assistant referee failed to raise his flag and Doyle sped into the area before finding the bottom corner.

A drone disrupted play three times in the second half, but Pat never relinquished control. King scored after an exquisite build-up play from Chris Forrester. Kyle Robinson was on the pitch just seconds from scoring his fourth goal.

Drogheda Utd: Long; Poynton (Weir, 46), Quinn, Roughan, Massey; Deegan, Heeney (Clarke, 46), Brennan (Nugent, 76); Dirt (Arong, 85), Rooney; Lyons (Williams, 26).

St. Patrick’s Athletics: anang; Curtis, Redmond, Grivosti (Bermingham, 70), Breslin; Forrester (McClelland, 76), O’Reilly; Burns, McCormack (Robinson, 85), King (M. Doyle, 70); E Doyle (Owolabi, 76).

Referee: John McLoughlin.