Crossword Genius

Irish drawn to Patrick, say, excited reaction? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stir

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'excited reaction?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'irish drawn to patrick' is the wordplay.
'irish' becomes 'IR' (abbreviation for Irish).
'drawn to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'patrick' becomes 'st' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ir' after 'st' is 'STIR'.

'say' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stir that I've seen before include "Slight movement" , "Prison (slang) - disturbance" , "Whisk, blend" , "Whisk or make a move" , "Bustle, activity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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