From magic mons to magic steaua

FROM MAGIC MONS TO MAGIC STEAUA - by Julie-Ann Sherlock

FAI League of Ireland Premier Division team St Patrick’s Athletic seemed to have used some magic to help them progress to the play off stage of the UEFA Europa Cup. They surprised everyone when they came from 3-0 down with 20 minutes left against Russian side PFC Krylya Sovetov Samara to score 2 goals and with a 3-3 aggregate result, St Pat’s moved forward through the away goal rule.

Declan “Fabio” O’Brien was their goal scoring hero and has helped bring Pat’s to a meeting with Romanian hotshots Steaua Bucuresti later in the month. The Bucharest team have the nickname Magic Steaua and Jeff Kenna’s Saints will face them 6 days after they play another team with the Magic tagline – Monaghan United FC.

Steaua are no stranger to European competition and have won the European Cup (now the Champions League) in 1986 and have been runner up and semi finalists in 89 and 88 respectively. More recently they were semi finalists in the UEFA Cup in 2006 and are currently ranked 32 in the European Club table sitting just behind Ajax and Newcastle United.

The Magic Mons will face St Pats at Kingspan Century Park on Friday 14th August in the FAI Ford Cup and Mick Cooke’s side will be hoping to cast their spell over the Dublin outfit. United are determined to continue their cup run this year and to take the scalp of not only a Premier Division side, but one who will be trying to conquer Europe, would be a major coup for the border club.

First Division United relish the chance to play the Inchicore side and will be eager to show their magic before St Pats head off for the next round of their European adventure. Kick off at Kingspan Century Park is 8pm on the 14th August and a large crowd is expected so please arrive early.