Drogs manager at full strength for Town clash
DROGHEDA United boss Tim Clancy will field a strong starting XI tomorrow (Wednesday) when the Boynesiders complete their pre-season programme with a game against Robbie Horgan’s Drogheda Town at DIFE (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Drogs had a number of frontline players missing for the friendly away to St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday night after a virus swept through the camp, but they still managed to put an end to the Inchicore side’s 100% pre-season record when holding Harry Kenny’s men to a scoreless stalemate.
That result came three nights after Drogheda drew 1-1 with Republic of Ireland Under-19s at Abbotstown, with Thomas Byrne’s early goal being cancelled out just before half-time following a defensive blunder.
The two draws follow on from three defeats earlier in the pre-season against Dundalk, Derry City and Finn Harps, but Clancy has been happy with how the games have panned out in terms of preparing for next week’s league opener at home to Cobh Ramblers.
‘I was happy enough with the Pats game because they’ve had a really good pre-season and with it being their last game Harry went as strong as he could for the first 60 minutes.
‘Our shape out of possession was quite good, but it wasn’t backs to the wall and we had a few chances ourselves in fairness.’
Given the strength of the Pat’s side - Conor Clifford, Georgie Poynton, Mikey Drennan, James Doona, Kevin Toner, Rhys McCabe and recent re-signing Chris Forrester were all involved - it was Drogheda’s best result of pre-season and Clancy will be hoping to take that momentum into tomorrow’s game against their Leinster Senior League counterparts.
‘Our lads finished the Pat’s game stronger and that’s credit to our fitness levels. I’m not really worried about not scoring goals. We created plenty chances in the game against Finn Harps and we wen’t be playing teams of Pats’ calibre in the First Division.’
In terms of his starting XI for tomorrow’s game in DIFE, Clancy will use it to give game time to some of the players who missed out over the last week, with Paul Skinner, Luke Gallagher and Chris Lyons all recovered from the virus, Kevin Farragher available again after breaking a bone in his hand and Sean Brennan also set to feature after shaking off a knock.
‘It’s about getting more minutes into the legs,’ Clancy replied when asked about his thoughts going into the Drogheda Town friendly.
‘We’ll be looking to get our strongest team on the pitch for only the second time this season and use it to prepare for Cobh Ramblers next week.’
Meanwhile, Drogheda United will be holding their centenary season launch next Monday from 7pm in the Westcourt Hotel, with former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher as a special guest.