Confident Drogs gear up for Linfield clash
Manager Paul Doolin had every reason to smile after Friday's eircom League 1-0 victory over St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park. That kept Drogheda top of the table, two points clear of Cork City.
"It was the ideal preparation for the game at Windsor in what were very difficult conditions," said Doolin.
"Once again our defence showed they're among the best in the country."
Apart from a scoreless draw at home to Cork, table-toppers Drogheda have ground out four 1-0 league victories after finishing runners-up in Group One of the competition to Cork City.
That latest single-goal success away to St Pat's came when former Leeds United youngster Paul Keegan was on target.
It means the Drogs have still to concede a goal in 450 minutes of league football.
"Paul is now playing as an attacking midfielder and will love the wide open spaces of Windsor Park," said Doolin.
"He has scored three of our four league goals and his 87th-minute winner against St Pat's was excellent."
With experienced keeper Dan Connor suspended after being sent off in the last Setanta game against Cork City at United Park, Swords youngster Charlie Treacy, 20, takes over in goal against the Blues.
Doolin said: "It is a big game for the lad. Since joining us from Oldham, he has done well, particularly in our pre-season games in Spain. But playing behind a great back four of Brian
Shelley, Jason Gavin, Warren Gartland and Simon Webb will be a bonus for Treacy.
"I am sure Linfield are glad that striker Peter Thompson was released from the Northern Ireland U21 international squad against Liechtenstein tomorrow. He is a player with a great future.
"The combination of Thompson and Glenn Ferguson up front is lethal and the 84 goals they have scored this season tells its own story.
"From my days as a player at Portadown, I remember Ferguson well when he played against me in Mid-Ulster derbies for Glenavon. It is a credit to 'Spike' that at 36 he is still scoring all those goals at the top level.
"Linfield have had great managers over the years Roy Coyle, Trevor Anderson and now David Jeffrey. They are a very well run club, steeped in tradition. Their 48 match unbeaten record up to Saturday speaks for itself.
"But Drogheda are a team who now believe in themselves. While we respect Linfield, we have to concentrate on our own game and my players know exactly what's ahead of them at Windsor.
"I wouldn't read too much into their shock 3-1 Irish League defeat at home to Lisburn Distillery at the weekend which ended that amazing unbeaten run. That will only make the Blues more determined tonight."
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