Realised last night that iyou could argue that it suited Pats to lose to Derry on Friday.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the situation is as follows:
If Derry win the league and the Cup Pats enter UEFA Cup. If Derry come second and win the Cup the UEFA Cup spot goes to the next best placed team in the league. Therefore Pats qualifiation for Europe depends on Derry winning or not winning the league rather than the Cup final result.
Not saying it affected Pats perforrmance on Friday as I didn't see the game but it would be even more interesting if a similar situation arose on the last game of the season ie. A team a point ahead of the league playing a mid table team, with the two teams playing in the Cup final later. It would suit the mid table team to lose, thereby guaranteeing their Euro qualification.
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