Drogheda United boss Mick Cooke was left rueing a missed opportunity as his side played out a scoreless draw with St. Pats at Hunky Dorys Park on Friday night.
“Obviously in the situation that we find ourselves in, it is two points dropped. I would bet that the only happy man tonight would be Sligo manager Ian Baraclough. If either one of us had won the game tonight there would have been immense pressure on Sligo ahead of Saturday’s match with Derry. “
This was the fifth meeting between the sides this season with St. Pats failing to defeat the Drogs during 90 minutes of football.
“Our performance levels and commitment have been exceptional in the encounters with St. Pats this season. We beat them in Inchicore back in July and they went through on penalties last week so it just goes to show the determination of our players. With four games to go I think people will realise now that those who took us for granted or underestimated us at the start of the season were wrong.”
Gabriel Sava was called into action on several occasions as the Dubliners pushed Drogheda all the way trying to break the deadlock in vain.
“Gabby was brilliant. We failed to create many opportunities in the final third but in games like that you need your goalkeeper to step up and Gabby did that tonight. In the last 20 minutes self-preservation took over and we retreated too far for my liking. But to give credit where it is due, Gabby has had a great season at the back in the same way that Fabio has been exceptional for us up front. Overall, it has been a terrific season thus far from everyone.”
This was the Drogheda squad’s homecoming following the triumphant EA Sports cup victory over Shamrock Rovers last Saturday.
“No we had no problems refocusing the players ahead of the league game which again illustrates the appetite for success that is in the squad. We enjoyed the occasion on Saturday and celebrated into the early hours of Sunday morning but it was business as usual come Monday.”
United will entertain FAI cup semi-finalists Shelbourne on Monday as they seek to record a third successive victory over the Drumcondra side this season.
“Shelbourne have a great history and are capable of beating anyone on their day. We do not treat any team lightly in the way that perhaps others have done to us during the course of the season and if we are to get a result we must be on the top of our game.”
With only a handful of league games remaining, what is the Drogheda manager’s goal for the end of the season?
“Our aim will be to get maximum points from the remaining fixtures. We have Shels on Monday, then UCD away who are arguably the form team in the league at the moment, Sligo at home and finish with Bohemians away. We want to make sure that we still have something to play for come the last fixture to end the season in a fitting way.”
