Kenna first to exit as Drogs face cash crisis

CONOR KENNA’S departure for St Patrick’s Athletic comes as Drogheda United called a public meeting last night to discuss the financial crisis which threatens the club’s Premier Division status.

Having had their budget for the new season rejected, the club are now facing a race against the clock to finalise a new budget, retain players and manager Alan Mathews, and secure their elite status in the League of Ireland.

With Cork City also engaged in a desperate survival battle, there is now real concern that two clubs could drop out of the top division just weeks before the start of the new season.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop of so much uncertainty at the club, defender Kenna – who had originally committed himself to Boyneside for the new season – admitted that his move to Inchicore had happened virtually overnight.

“To be honest it all happened very quickly,” said the 25-year-old defender. “I was due to play against Pat’s on Wednesday in the Leinster Senior Cup and now find myself signing for them.”

That game was cancelled after the rejection of their budget meant that Drogheda could not formally register their players in time.

Meanwhile, Kenna is looking forward to renewing a work relationship with his former UCD boss Pete Mahon at St Pat’s.

“I know what to expect from Pete – he’s pretty straight-talking and tells you how it is,” said Kenna. “I’ve already played with some of the lads at Cherry Orchard and with the Irish underage squads and my aim will be to get back playing football, to break into the Pat’s team and help them finish as high up the league as possible.”

St Pat’s’ latest signing is expected to join his team-mates tonight when they take on Longford Town in a 7.45pm friendly at Richmond Park.