PREVIEW Result vital for slipping Saints

eleven-a-side

St Patrick’s Athletic go into tonight’s clash with Cork City at Richmond Park needing at least a draw to ease their relegation worries – just nine months after finishing top of the eircom League Premier Division.

Just nine months after being stripped of their league title in the arbitration halls, they could be stripped of their Premier Division status and be forced to ply their trade in the muddy depths of the First Division.

The manner of the “Super”-saints collapse in the intervening gestation period has not gone unnoticed, and manager Pat Dolan has found himself severely criticised in some quarters for his reputed part in the team’s demise.

While relegation is still four bad results away, the fact that is still in question two games from the end of the season is a damning reflection on St Pats’ season.

A mini-revival, which saw them gain a victory over champions Bohemians and a draw with bogey team UCD, was ended dramatically with a 2-0 home reverse to Longford Town last weekend, and a similar result tonight could have drastic consequences for the Inchicore side.

They are three points and a decent goal difference above Drogheda United, but have to travel to Boyneside to face the Drogs next week, and will hope to go there on the back of a victory from their last home game of the season, against Cork City tonight.

But it will not be easy for Dolan’s band of under-achievers. Although Cork can boast just one league win away from Turners Cross this season, they are still in the mix for an Intertoto Cup spot, and will be intent on capitalizing on the ground lost by only rivals Shamrock Rovers in Derry last night.

City are just one point behind the Hoops, but have an inferior goal difference of seven goals, and will have to rely on a better points haul to claim the last European spot.

Dolan can call on trio Ryan Casey, Darragh Maguire and Charles Mbabazi Livingstone again, which should be a boost to the home side’s chances, while Cork City manager Liam Murphy is still without midfielder Conor O’Grady.

wouldn´t it be sweet to send them into a play-off v ramblers :)

fai site
Cork City, still very much in the hunt for a place in next season's Intertoto Cup, will be looking for only their second away league win of the season when they face struggling St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park (kick-off 7.45 pm).

Midfielder Conor O'Grady is out for the rest of the season after suffering a calf injury in last Monday's 1-0 defeat by Longford Town at Flancare Park. Winger Billy Woods is also doubtful with a hamstring injury picked up in the same game.

Cork boss Liam Murphy is likely to switch Greg O'Halloran to the centre of midfield in O'Grady's absence with Alan Carey, used as a substitute against Longford, resuming in the right back role.

St Pat's boss Pat Dolan adds Ryan Casey and Darragh Maguire to his squad. Former Swansea City man Casey has recovered from a hamstring injury while Maguire has shaken off a pelvic problem that has kept on the sidelines for much of the season.

"Cork are always tough opponents and like ourselves they have everything to play for in what should be a very important game for both clubs," said Dolan.

'City looking for their second away win of the season'.
What a depressing stat :(