Dayle Rooney scored a sensational winning goal for Drogheda as they beat St Pat's 2-1 in the League of Ireland Premier Division on Monday night.
With the game level at 1-1, Rooney struck a magnificent volley in the 82nd minute.
"If ever a goal was goal to win a game," Drogheda manager Kevin Doherty told LOI TV.
"Dale's goal was just sensational. I think we have our own little thing for Goal of the Season. We've scored some great goals this year."
St Pat's manager Jon Daly called it an "unbelievable strike".
"It's probably one of the best volleys you're going to see," he added.
📽️ | THAT. IS. OUTRAGEOUS.
Dayle Rooney leaves it late to submit his Goal of the Month (Season) contender!#LOI | #PATDRO pic.twitter.com/gBa7KWxL3c— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) September 25, 2023
Drogheda initially took the lead in the sixth minute when Warren Davis took advantage of some sloppy play in the Pats defence. Chris Forrester got an equaliser for the visitors shortly before half-time.
Pats had two players sent off, Jake Mulraney for a second yellow card in the 66th minute and Sam Curtis deep into injury time at the end of the game.
Doherty said his side "deserved" the three points.
"Probably the second sending off towards the end, [people] will look at 'Nine-man Pats were beaten [by Drogheda' - no, we deserved it, we were very, very good," he said.
25 September 2023; Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty celebrates after the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between St Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
"We have to be inventive because what we have is by miles the smallest budget in the league. We have to be inventive. We can't sign a lot of players with loads of experience.
"Monday night, after playing on Friday, every one always questions can we do it on a Monday. It has been tough because we are part-time. Our lads were in work today, all day. To be able to come out today and do that is really, really good. The players deserve massive credit."
Drogheda are seventh in the table with 39 points after 31 games, while Pats are third, six points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers.
📽️ | St. Patrick's Athletic get themselves into all kinds of trouble at the back and 18 year old Warren Davis takes full advantage for Drogheda United!#LOI | #PATDRO pic.twitter.com/6oNGtS0c6r
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) September 25, 2023
