The Saint (Vol. 32 No. 6)

25Sept20-Shelbourne-01_A5 25/09/2020 12:33 Page 1

Irish Programme Club

Programme of the Year

2019 2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 06 •

St Patrick’s Athletic Shelbourne Saturday 26 September • Kick Off: 7.45pm • Richmond Park, Inchicore, Dublin 8.

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St Patrick’s Athletic Manager:

Alan Mathews

Manager:

Head Coach: Stephen O’Donnell GK o

26 Brendan Clarke

Fáilte Tá áthas orainn fáilte a chur roimh mbainistíocht, imreoirí agus lucht tacaíochta Chlub Pheile Síol Bhroin go Phairc Richmond anocht.

Welcome We are pleased to welcome the management, players and supporters of Shelbourne Football Club to Richmond Park tonight.

Shelbourne Ian Morris

Asst Manager: Craig Sexton 1 Colin McCabe

GK o

2 Rory Feely

D

o

2 Daniel O’Reilly

D

o

3 Ian Bermingham (C)

D

o

3 Lorcan Fitzgerald

D

o

4 Dan Ward

D

o

4 Oscar Brennan

M

o

5 Lee Desmond

D

o

5 Alex O’Hanlon

M

o

6 Jamie Lennon

M

o

6 Daniel Byrne

D

o

7 Robbie Benson

M

o

7 Karl Sheppard

M

o

8 Darragh Markey

M

o

8 Gary Deegan

M

o

9 Martin Rennie

F

o

9 Ciaran Kilduff

F

o

12 Georgie Kelly

F

o

10 Ryan Brennan

M

o

14 Luke McNally

D

o

11 Jaze Kabia

F

o

15 Billy King

M

o

12 Denzil Fernandes

M

o

16 Jay McClelland

M

o

14 Aidan Friel

D

o

17 Simon Madden

D

o

15 Karl Moore

D

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19 Chris Forrester

M

o

16 Daniel McKenna

M

o

20 Shane Griffin

D

o

17 Shane Farrell

M

o

22 James Doona

F

o

18 Dayle Rooney

M

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23 Jordan Gibson

M

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19 Sean Quinn

M

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24 David Titov

D

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20 Aaron Dobbs

F

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25 Conor Kearns

GK o

21 Alex Cetiner

M

o o

27 Cian Hughes

M

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23 Luke Byrne

D

28 Glory Nzingo

M

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25 Jack Brady

GK o

30 Paul Cleary

D

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26 Georgie Poynton

M

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29 Brian McManus

M

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32 Cian Kelly

D

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34 Ben McCormack

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35 Darragh Burns

M

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37 Daniel Dobbin

D

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38 Kian Corbally

M

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/stpatsfc stpatsfc /stpatsfc

Match Officials

/stpatsfctv

Referee Rob Hennessy

info@stpatsfc.com stpatsfc.com

2

Half-Time

Assistant 1 Rob Clarke Full-Time

Assistant 2 Brian Fenlon

4th Official Robert Harvey

MOTM

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

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Editorial Ruairi Kavanagh @stpatsprogramme

Welcome to Richmond Park for a Dublin Derby against Shelbourne, for what is sure to be a white hot atmosphere under the floodlights...I wish.

As this most surreal of all seasons spirals towards its conclusion, thoughts turn to the future and the uncertainties surrounding it. The challenges facing the league and the planet are roughly the same, how long will we have to live with this, like this and how do we maintain the energy and fortitude to keep going. There are serious questions as to the future shape of professional sports if the fans can't return and it's a sobering, but perhaps unifying, thought for all clubs. Underpinning any football fan's belief is a bedrock of optimism, that somehow it will all be ok and we have to hope that whatever the future holds, it will be one we can share together on the terraces.

I'd like to thank all our contributors, and particularly designer Joe O'Rourke, for all their work and reliability in providing these free digital editions for the season since the restart.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could get a few goals to celebrate it!

Wherever you are, I hope you enjoy tonight's game and I hope you enjoy the read!

Stay safe and come on the Saints!

Ruairi Kavanagh Editor

Contents 7

The Dugout

20

Community

11

Dodge’s Data

32

A View from Afar

14

Opposition Watch

34

Pats from the Past

Programme Production Editor Ruairi Kavanagh

Design Joe O’Rourke

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

Photography Sportsfile & Inpho 3

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Light Up Your Nights

SSE Airtricity League

#LightUpYourNights

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President’s Welcome Tom O’Mahony @tomsaintpats

You're very welcome to this evening's game in Richmond Park, wherever you may be watching it from.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB 125 Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8, Ireland Tel: +353 1 454 6332

In particular, I extend the warmest of welcomes to our long-time friends and rivals from the other side of the city, as we welcome Shelbourne for another in the long tradition of vital Dublin derbies between our two proud clubs.

Following last weekend's fixtures, both Shels and ourselves remain in that strange mid-table position where one good result can put you within touching distance of a European place but one bad one can have you dangerously close to the relegation contenders. In this truncated season, the room for error is dwindling rapidly. Our defence has been impeccable in our last couple of games but we know that more is needed in attack and you can be assured that the players and coaches have been focussed on that in training this week.

The resurgence of the coronavirus is worrying for our society on every level and it certainly seems to have put paid to the prospect of a return to anything but token crowds at our remaining games this season. The financial hit has been very significant but we have been greatly helped by the support of our season ticket holders and sponsors as well as funding from Government. The bigger cloud on the horizon now is the uncertainty about what course the virus will take over the winter and into next year, and what the implications may be for the 2021 season.

The clubs and the FAI have been grappling with this for months, and certainly there's no question of anyone being blameworthy for lack of foresight or planning. The simple truth is that, just as in every other area of economic and social life, there are

no clear answers or solutions, in Ireland or anywhere else, to the questions being posed by the pandemic. A few months ago, when decisions were taken about the postponement of the Euros Finals and the Olympics for a year, the general expectation was that by next summer we would have returned to some semblance of normality and these major sporting showcases could take place in packed arenas. And, indeed, that may prove to be the case, but it would be difficult to feel as confident now as one might previously have done.

What type of 2021 season would we face if there is no significant spectator revenue?

You can be assured that the clubs and the FAI will be determined that football will continue, at every level, but the funding challenge for the professional game would be immense in the absence of spectators. So the focus of the FAI is two-fold - firstly, working with the other major sporting organisations and with the international federations, they are aiming to bring forward protocols for spectator safety which would allow large crowds to return; and, secondly, they are pressing the case for continued Government funding to help clubs survive through the crisis.

We and our fellow clubs don't always see eye-to-eye with the FAI on all issues, but on this one, which threatens the very survival of our league as we know it, we need to work together and that's exactly what we're doing.

Tom O'Mahony President St Patrick's Athletic FC

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

Fax: +353 1 454 6211 For media enquiries, please email press@stpatsfc.com Opening Hours: 9.30am-5pm (Mon-Fri).

See our facebook page for additional opening hours on match days.

HONOURS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 1951/52, 1954/55, 1955/56, 1989/90, 1995/96, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2001/02, 2013 FAI CUP 1958/59, 1960/61, 2014 LEAGUE CUP 2000/01, 2003, 2015, 2016 PRESIDENT'S CUP 2014 LEINSTER SENIOR CUP 1947/48, 1982/83, 1986/87, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1999/2000, 2011, 2014, 2019 LEAGUE OF IRELAND SHIELD 1959/60 FAI SUPER CUP 1999 DUBLIN CITY CUP 1953/54, 1955/56, 1975/76 LFA PRESIDENT'S CUP 1952/53, 1953/54, 1955/56, 1971/72, 1990/91, 1996/97 FAI INTERMEDIATE CUP 1947/48, 1948/49, 1952/53 (Reserves) FAI JUNIOR CUP 1940/41 FAI YOUTH CUP 1944/45

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Pitchside Sponsors We would like to thank the following who have sponsored the club for the 2020 season...

Sam Bone

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2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

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The Dugout Stephen O’Donnell and Alan Mathews

I would like to welcome Ian

unfortunately, the woodwork

times. The impact of Covid-19 on

Morris, his players and backroom

came between the team and an

people's lives continues to be felt

staff, and everybody connected

important victory.

in an extremely harsh way. With a

with Shelbourne to Richmond

cloud of uncertainty hanging over

Park for this evening's SSE

It was a similar situation at the

us all, there is no point in

Airtricity Premier Division match.

Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

planning too far into the future

Ian has assembled a strong squad

last weekend. While our opportu-

because the situation is

with quality right through the

nities weren't as clear-cut as

impossible to predict.

pitch.

those enjoyed against Sligo, the overall performance was very

The old mantra of taking one

The last meeting of the sides,

good and I was pleased with the

game at a time may be viewed by

back in February, was a typical

work ethic of the players.

some as a tired cliché. Cliché or

derby fixture in many ways. Both

not, it has never felt so

teams were deeply committed and

Scoring goals is the most

appropriate. Focusing on anything

goal-scoring chances were at

important aspect of football and

other than the present challenge

something of a premium. We were

it is also the most difficult. It is an

is counter productive. For us, that

very disappointed to come away

area we have struggled in. The

challenge comes in the form of a

from Tolka Park with nothing that

team has been defensively solid

tricky Dublin derby. The recent

night as our performance merited

recently, and strong in possession,

performances have been hugely

at least a draw. However,

but goals have been particularly

encouraging and if we can

Shelbourne put the ball in the net

hard to come by. This is

supplement those kinds of

and we learned a hard lesson.

something the players have been

displays with some goals, it will

working extremely hard on in

make all the difference.

The last two performances have

training and hopefully that hard

been very pleasing. However, we

work will pay off, starting this

We continue to acknowledge the

only accumulated two points from

evening. I have every faith in

supporters – both verbally and in

those games when it could have

them.

our thoughts – before and during

been six, so that is disappointing.

games. I know that, in different Scoring goals is the responsibility

circumstances, you would all be

Against Sligo Rovers here a

of the entire team, not just the

here today, cheering the team on.

fortnight ago, I felt we were

players in the final third of the

Though you are not here, myself,

clearly the better team. The

pitch. We defend as a team and,

the players and the staff know

performance was particularly

equally, we attack as a team, and

you are right behind us. And we

encouraging as Sligo came into

it doesn't matter who applies the

want to give you a performance to

the game in flying form but, on

final touch before the ball hits the

be proud of.

the day, we outplayed them. We

net, as long as somebody does it.

went agonisingly close to scoring on a couple of occasions but,

Enjoy the game, These are strange and challenging

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

Stephen O’Donnell

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OUR GAME IS ON THE BALL

UMBRO TEAMWEAR

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT UMBRO.IE OR CONTACT RICHY ON 086 0317672

Untitled-8 1

11/02/2020 12:14

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Oh My Word!

Ronan O’Flaherty @ronanoflaherty

A palpable sense of anxiety polluted the Dublin air on the evening of February 28.

Waiting for the bus to Drumcondra, it had already become clear that there wouldn't be many more Friday nights like this in 2020. Coronavirus was taking hold in a very aggressive way and an announcement on nationwide restrictions seemed imminent.

Toasting my friend in the chosen pre-match hostelry, the reality of the situation was top of the agenda. We agreed that the drinks before us should be savoured, as should the live football experience that would follow.

Tolka Park under floodlights evokes memories of a different time, when Pat's versus Shels was not just the premier Dublin derby, but the biggest clash in the country. However, that was then. Times change. Back in February, Shelbourne were newly-promoted and Pat's were – are – in a state of transition. Admittedly, that transitional period feels as though it has spanned approximately three seasons.

At the height of the Pat's-Shels rivalry, in the late 20th and early 21st century, Tolka Park had capacity for approximately 8,000 football-loving souls. That has since been slashed to little more than 3,000. All four stands remain in place, but appearances can be deceiving.

Entering the ground that night required the assistance of Google Maps. It wasn't the straightforward stroll down Richmond Road of yesteryear. Away fans were sent on a wild-goose chase that felt unnecessary. Once inside, in order to reach the Riverside Stand one had to walk past the Ballybough End. Formerly a fullyfunctioning stand with capacity for around 900, it is now a condemned mound.

The Riverside Stand once had a capacity for 4,000. It now holds approximately one-quarter of that figure.

This was where the noisy and spirited Pat's supporters congregated. All irony was lost on those Shelbourne fans who sang "we won the league in the s***hole, we won the league in Inchicore."

Not so long ago, Tolka Park was the jewel in the crown of League of Ireland stadia. That honour now applies to Tallaght Stadium, which is owned and operated by South Dublin County Council. The new Dalymount Park – which will be shared by Bohemians and Shelbourne – will equally be reliant on central funding.

Following the disappointing lack of political support for the Richmond Arena project, which would have breathed fresh life into a neglected part of the city, the solution for St Patrick's Athletic is now clear. With our three Dublin rivals all due to benefit from what are, in essence, free stadiums, we should be seeking equal treatment. Fair is fair.

Of course, public finances have been obliterated in recent months and it will presumably be a long time before a League of Ireland project benefits from significant central funding. Even the redevelopment of Dalymount Park appears to be in danger of being put on the long finger.

Before the great stadium debate can rage again, spectators will need to be readmitted back into grounds.

Without fans, what need is there for impressive facilities? Or facilities of any standard, for that matter?

The seats have been removed from the first 11 rows of the Ballybough End, exposing the moss-filled steps. A set of goalposts sprawled across rows seven to ten that night, seemingly slung there with little care. The nets were still attached but they had become loose and frayed in parts. The seats that remain beyond those steps all appear to be broken. Only stewards and gardaí were permitted to stand here during the game.

Perhaps Tolka Park, as those in attendance may recall from that night seven months ago, was a symbol of what lay ahead. Over the years, its capacity has steadily decreased. And now, we have reached a point where capacity doesn't even matter. Who knows when it will matter again? Hopefully soon, but probably not soon.

At the opposite end of the ground is a stand that many people, including this writer, still view as new. Certainly not old. It, too, was off-limits for spectators on the

Ronan O'Flaherty

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

11/02/2020 12:14

second-last night of February, although it does house the dressing rooms.

With so much gloom, a few smiles would be nice. The right result today would be a start.

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Dodge’s Data

@seidodge

League Record v Shelbourne HOME GAMES

27

W

D

L

AWAY GAMES

H

TOTAL GAMES

22

21

68

69

33

137

49

14

20 GOALS

97

54

34 GOALS

118

A

87

GOALS

108

205

205

Last 10 Games v Shelbourne 10/09/12

15/04/13

17/05/12

16/08/13

19/08/13

22/08/14

01/09/14

28/08/17

28/09/18

28/02/20

Tolka Park

Richmond Park

Tolka Park

Richmond Park

Tolka Park

Richmond Park

Tolka Park

Richmond Park

Tolka Park

Tolka Park

2-0

4-0

3-0

1-0

2-1

1-0

W

1-1

1-1 0-1 League

League

League

League

Leinster Cup

FAI Cup

D

(5-6 Pens)

FAI Cup

Leinster Cup

0-1 Leinster Cup

L

League

ON THIS DAY - 26th September 2008

FAI Cup

Sporting Fingal

H

Richmond Park

2-0

Quigley, Fitzpatrick

2013

League

Bray Wanderers

A

Carlisle Grounds

3-1

Flood, Russell, Fagan

2014

League

Shamrock Rovers

H

Richmond Park

1-1

Byrne

2015

League

Longford Town

A

City Calling Stadium

3-0

Fagan, Chambers, Greene

2017

League

Shamrock Rovers

H

Richmond Park

2-0

Bermingham, O’Conor

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 5 • St Patrick’s Athletic v SLIGO Rovers

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R

SEPTEMBE

26 2013

Airtricity Premier Division Carlisle Grounds, Bray, Co Wicklow.

BRAY WANDERERS 1 ST PATRICK'S ATH 3

By RUAIDHRI O’CONNOR

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC completed step one of their five-point plan to claim the league title last night, but their visit to the Carlisle Grounds showed them that their road to glory is full of potential landmines.

The wind, rain and Bray Wanderers’ stubborn resistance threatened to hold up Liam Buckley’s title train as the league leaders needed a heroic 90thminute save from goalkeeper Brendan Clarke to keep them ahead before Chris Fagan finally put the game to bed deep in injury-time.

against Cork in Turner’s Cross.

The Seagulls, meanwhile, continue to occupy the relegation play-off spot and they are in for a stressful time tonight with Bohemians, Shelbourne and UCD all looking to take advantage of their failure to win for the 13th game in a row.

Bray set up to cancel the Saints out with their midfield three going man-to-man and for 37 minutes it was desperate stuff, enlightened only by Killian Brennan going close from a free kick.

The St Pat’s contingent at the Carlisle Grounds were growing increasingly restless as their

side’s frustration showed in a series of misplaced passes.

They were all released from their slow torture as half-time loomed when Brennan’s corner came back to him from Ishmahil Akinade and his deflected second effort found John Russell at the back post. The Galway man failed to control the inch-perfect ball, but his blushes were spared by Anto Flood who took a touch and swept the ball home.

The goal lifted the players as well as the fans and Russell found himself in an almost identical position moments later, but he directed his header wide from Conan Byrne’s cross.

Moving this kick-off forward by 24 hours for television reasons handed the league leaders an opportunity to lay down a marker ahead of their rivals’ games tonight and they deservedly took it, moving six points clear of Dundalk and eight ahead of Sligo.

Their next step comes against UCD next Friday, followed by Sligo and Derry City at home before a potential coronation

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AERIAL BATTLE: St Pat’s Athletic’s Aidan Price beats Bray Wanderers’ Akinade in the air during last night’s clash at the Carlisle Grounds.

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

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Irish Independent Friday 27 September 2013

FAGAN EDGES SAINTS ONE STEP CLOSER TO TITLE GLORY Any sense of security was shattered moments later when arch-predator Jason Byrne emerged from nowhere at the other end to flash the ball over the bar after Dave Webster had won Kieran Marty Waters’ cross, but it was the Saints who finished the half on a high as Flood curled the ball inches over after strong work from Daryl Kavanagh.

Whatever Buckley said to his troops at half-time, his side seemed keen to put this one to bed early and Russell drew a good save from Darren Quigley who recovered the rebound before Kavanagh could finish.

The Bray stopper then did brilliantly to turn another Flood effort around the post, before he denied the striker at close range after a fine Brennan pass.

Bermingham’s path and the leftback dinked a cross on to the head of Russell who made it two.

Quigley denied substitute Fagan a chance to add to the lead, before Akinade pulled one back for Bray by latching on to Kevin Knight’s ball and sweeping the ball past Brendan Clarke.

St Pat’s responded by going for the jugular, but Quigley brilliantly denied Chris Forrester and Fagan cracked a low shot off the post as the Seagulls refused to go quietly.

audible as the roar that followed it.

BRAY WANDERERS Quigley; Webster, S O’Connor, D O’Connor (Doyle 88), Early; K O’Connor, Dempsey (Mulroy 63), Zambra; Akinade, Byrne (Knight 63), Waters.

ST PAT’S ATH Clarke; O’Brien, Kenna, Price, Bermingham; Brennan, Bolger, Russell; Byrne (Forrester 68), Flood (Fagan 76), Kavanagh.

REFEREE N Doyle (Dublin)

Clarke had to superbly deny John Mulroy at the death and the sigh of relief that greeted Fagan’s 93rd-minute goal was almost as

STORM Pat Devlin’s side weathered the early storm as the conditions turned nasty and the play, again, grew increasingly scrappy until the visitors gave themselves some breathing space with 23 minutes remaining as the impressive Flood back-heeled the ball into the onrushing Ian

Anto Flood of St. Patrick's Athletic celebrates after John Russell scored his side's second goal

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

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Opposition Watch James Fenton @fentonjames16

HOW IS 2020 GOING SO FAR? Shels are back in the Premier Division for the first time since 2013 and things started off okay. The Reds won three of their opening six games but things have since gone south for the northside club. They are without a win in their last six league games, drawing four and losing two, and they most recently shared the spoils in a 11 draw away at Finn Harps.

On a brighter note for our visitors, they have secured their passage to the FAI Cup quarter-finals, where they will take on Athlone Town.

ONE TO WATCH Ciarán Kilduff enjoyed a brief spell at Richmond Park in the early part of the 2015 season, scoring three goals for Saints during this time. He subsequently moved on to Dundalk where he played an important role as The Lilywhites secured that year's Premier Division title.

The following season, Kilduff scored two goals during Dundalk's memorable journey in the Europa League group stage - an equaliser against AZ and a winner against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Armada in Florida before returning to Ireland where his goals helped fire Shels to the First Division title last year.

IN THE DUGOUT Ian Morris took the reins at Tolka Park in November 2018 and secured promotion at the first time of asking last season. While still in the early stages of his coaching career, Morris has shown enough so far to indicate a bright managerial future.

During his playing career, the now 33-yearold enjoyed a brief stint at Richmond Park in 2015, where he helped Saints to a fourth-place league finish and victory in the League of Ireland Cup. OUR RECENT RECORD AGAINST THE VISITORS For obvious reasons, the two Dublin clubs haven't crossed swords often in the league of late. We enjoyed a 100% record against tonight's opponents in their most recent season in the Premier Division, winning 4-0 and 1-0 at home as well as enjoying a 3-0 victory across town at Tolka Park.

Back in the present day, we were at the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline at the same venue back in February.

In July 2017, Kilduff moved to Jacksonville

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2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

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Shelbourne Honours LEAGUE OF IRELAND: 13 1925/26, 1928/29, 1930/31, 1943/44, 1946/47, 1952/53, 1961/62, 1991/92, 1999/2000, 2001/02, 2003, 2004, 2005.

FAI CUP: 7 1939, 1960, 1963, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000.

LEAGUE CUP: 1 1996.

Records BIGGEST LEAGUE WIN: 9-0 vs Pioneers, 16 December 1922. vs Bray Unknowns, 4 September 1926.

Ciarán Kilduff

BIGGEST LEAGUE DEFEAT: 0-9 vs Dundalk, 27 November 1980.

BIGGEST FAI CUP WIN: 9-0 vs Bray Unknowns, 6 January 1923.

BIGGEST EUROPEAN WIN: 4-0 vs Vėtra home, 24 June 2006.

MOST LEAGUE GOALS IN A SEASON: 72 ,1922–23.

MOST LEAGUE GOALS IN A GAME: 6 John Ledwidge vs Jacobs, 9–1 home, 10 October 1929.

Alex Hair vs Jacobs, 7–0 home, 6 September 1930.

MOST FAI CUP GOALS IN A GAME: 5 Stephen Doyle vs Bray Unknowns 9–0 home, 6 January 1923.

TOP LEAGUE SCORER IN A SEASON: 29 Alex Hair - 1930–31.

TOP LEAGUE SCORER OVERALL: 126 Eric Barber, 1958–66, 1971–75, 1978–80.

TOP EUROPEAN SCORER: 8 Jason Byrne, 2003–06.

Ian Morris 2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

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Pensive Points Jimmy Edwards @jimmyedwards41

Good Evening All, Welcome to Ian Morris, his staff and all the players at Shelbourne FC for what we hope will be an exciting encounter, with hopefully a few goals! We have gone 6 games in a row without scoring a goal (1 cup and 5 league) so any type of Pat's goal would be welcome (even an own goal off somebody’s backside will do).

It really is baffling that we have gone so long without a goal but we just don’t seem to be getting that bit of luck with shots coming back off the post or missed opportunities but God knows we have been creating chances and you feel it’s only a matter of time before they start to go in again. Once we get one, the monkey will be off the back, and we will hopefully go on a goal scoring run.

We were good again I felt against Sligo and were clearly the better team on the night as Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley admitted after the game. On another day Robbie Benson and Chris Forrester’s shots would have clipped the post and gone in instead of hitting the post and coming back out, these are the small margins with winning or drawing and losing games.

I must say it’s great to have Shelbourne back in the Premier Division as for those of us old enough to remember the 90’s and some of the 00’s our two great clubs had some great battles and fought each other for leagues and cups and were the two best sides in the country for a number of years. The games would be packed to the rafters whether it was Richmond or Tolka Park and the atmosphere was always electric

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

and hopefully someday in the not too distant future both our clubs can get back to challenging each other at the top end of the table and recreate that great rivalry once again.

Shelbourne come here with a mix of youth and experience in their squad. Luke Byrne, Dan Byrne, Oscar Brennan, Karl Moore, Karl Sheppard and the combative Gary Deegan need no introduction. Special mentions to ex-Saints Lorcan Fitzgerald, Ryan Brennan, Ciaran Kilduff, Alex O’Hanlon, Georgie Poynton and the manager Ian Morris who also played for the Saints in 2015. Ian and our own manager Stephen O’Donnell are both young coaches that want to play the game the right way, and with patience and support they will both lead their clubs to the right end of the table and have them challenging again in future seasons.

Extra special mention to Shel’s Head of Football Operations Dave Henderson who is also a Saint Patrick's Athletic legend. Dave was an outstanding goalkeeper for Pat’s. He had two spells with the Saints, the first was in 1981-1984 and the second was 1987-1991 when he was part of the great Brian Kerr team that won the league in 1990. He was a truly great player for any of us lucky enough to see him play, and he played over 160 games between the sticks for Pats.

Here's hoping for a 4-3 win for Pats!

Enjoy the game, Up the Saints!

Jimmy

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WWW.MIG.IE

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The 1970’s Dermot Looney @dlooney

Mid Table Mediocrity Statistically, the seventies are perhaps the weakest in Pat’s history. The Saints’ League finishing positions starting in 1970-71 and ending in 1979-80 are stark in their mediocrity; 12th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 6th, 10th, 14th and 12th. Even though the League of Ireland expanded during the decade to 16 teams, only three Pat’s players broke into double digits in League goals during the decade: Kevin Murray (13 in 1972-73), Peter Conway (13 in 1975-76) and Derek Carthy (12 in 1978-79).

But amidst the struggles there were flashes of intrigue and moments of magic to entertain the Richmond Park faithful.

John Colrain was replaced as manager in 1971 by Londoner Jack Burkett, who had played for West Ham for 10 years until 1968. He took on a playermanager role at Richmond Park, winning the LFA Presidents’ Cup in 1971-72 and leading the Saints to an FAI Cup Final in 1974. That final saw Pat’s lose out by 3 goals to 1 against a strong Finn Harps side.

Burkett was replaced by George Richardson, who lasted less than a season, 1975-76, although the Saints did win another minor trophy, the Dublin City Cup. Richardson was replaced in turn by another player with significant English League experience, Barry Bridges.

Most associated with Chelsea, where he scored 80 goals in 176 games from 1958-66, Bridges had 4 caps for England and arrived, similar to Burkett, at the twilight of his playing career. He had only intended on staying for a few games but found himself living in a house owned by the club in Newland’s Cross and with the job of player-manager.

Bridges certainly brought a level of glamour to Richer which it had rarely seen. The ‘guest player’ phenomenon was at its height in the League of Ireland at the time, when clubs brought in star names to boost their coffers. Using his contacts in England, Bridges brought in Terry Venables for three games. Venables famously arrived early on Emmet Road and couldn’t find the ground, nestled as it is in behind the redbrick houses, and reputedly had to knock on several doors before being told where to go.

Bridges’ most famous acquisition played just one game – World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who lined out at a home game against Shamrock Rovers in 1977. By all accounts Banks had a quiet game before pulling off a spectacular save from an Eamon Dunphy shot in the second half. The Scottish international, Neil Martin, hung about longer – he stayed for two seasons. The late seventies saw more home-grown stars in the red and white, amongst them tough-as-teak centre-half Dermot Keely and centre-forwards Jackie Jameson and Derek Carthy.

When he left the club amidst financial difficulties in 1978, Bridges took the unusual route of nominating a successor – his assistant Ralph O’Flaherty.

O’Flaherty’s reign lasted barely a year with Charlie Walker coming in to manage the Saints for the 197980 season – a season in which Pat’s again qualified for the FAI Cup Final, and again lost – this time a narrow 1-0 defeat to Waterford.

Honours LFA President’s Cup (1971-72) Dublin City Cup (1975-76)

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Community Dave Morrissey @dave_pats With the recent worrying increase in Covid-19 cases in Dublin and the public health restrictions that have followed, we are mindful of the well-being of our supporters. Sadly the South West Inner City (Inchicore, Rialto, the Liberties, etc) now has the 4th highest number of Covid-19 cases in the country and as many of our supporters hail from this area, we ask you to protect yourself, your family, and friends by limiting your social contacts and to follow public health advice. As Covid-19 continues to have a negative effect on our physical and mental health, you might find the following information helpful.

HSE – 1850 24 1850 The dedicated helpline if you or someone you know may have symptoms of Coronavirus or been in contact with someone who has.

ALONE – 0818 222 024 Alone offering support for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to Coronavirus open 8am -8pm.

SeniorLine – 1800 445 464 Free phone service, open 10am -10pm, supporting older people with concerns about Coronavirus

Samaritans – 116 123 If you are worried or finding it difficult to cope, this helpline is free and open day and night.

Pieta House – 1800 247 247 Free 24/7 professional helpline for people at risk of suicide & selfharm & those bereaved by suicide.

Threshold – 1800 454 454 If you are a renter and worried about the security of your tenure during the pandemic this helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am-9pm.

Money Advice and Budgetary Service (MABS) - 0761072000 Free, confidential, and independent service with a proven track record of helping to get all kinds of people back on their feet financially. Helpline open Monday to Friday 9am-8pm.

Government COVID-19 Latest Information and Guideline: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/

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Bank of Ireland - Begin Together Awards 2020 St Patrick’s Athletic, in conjunction with Frontline MC, Kilmainham Inchicore Network, and the Dublin South City Partnership were delighted to be selected as finalists for the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Awards 2020 in the Business and Community Response to Covid-19 category in recognition for the invaluable impact that the Inchicore Community Food Bank had in the area earlier this year.

Being selected as one of two finalists nationwide in this category is testimony to the fantastic work carried out by a team of local volunteers and all the people that kindly donated.

A panel interview took place last week via Zoom and the winning entry will be selected in October.

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2014 FAI CUP FINAL SUBBUTEO PRINTS This artwork depicts the starting XI plus Liam Buckley on that historic day in Lansdowne Road in 2014.

€20

High quality Giclée art print.

Professionally printed on 250gsm stock.

Available in A3 Portrait.

Delivered in quality poster tube ready to be framed on arrival.

Contact info@stpatsfc.com to get your copy.

Frame not included.

Limited Edition

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Patron Saints This scheme is a special and unique initiative aimed at ALL St Patrick’s Athletic fans...

The main aim is to aid the long-term development of this great football club.

We firmly believe for any LOI Club to be successful, it needs the fans to play a huge part. As it’s your club, we are urging all fans, where possible, to join the scheme today.

For the past few years the Patron Saints have run: • The St Patrick’s Athletic Awards Night • Santa Claus visit to Richmond • The Hano Cup These were all fundraised through Golden Goals, raffles and innovative events such as snail racing.

Projects the Patron Saints have contribute to: • Emmet Road Mural • U19s Team Kit • Heart Monitoring Equipment • Media Room Renovation • West Stand Repairs • Club Shop • Grounds Keeping Equipment • Strength and Conditioning Equipment.

Benefits of joining the Patron Saints: • Badge & Membership Card • Priority access to Match tickets • Voting rights on what projects Patron Saints funds will go on • Twice yearly meeting with club officials

• Discounts on most Patron run events • Free annual raffle for player signed jersey sponsored by the Patron Saints • Free annual raffle for a set of signed programmes of the season

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP GOLD MEMBERSHIP

€10 per week | €40 per month | €480 per year

SILVER MEMBERSHIP

€5 per week | €20 per month | €240 per year

BRONZE MEMBERSHIP

€5 per week | €60 per year

For more information or to sign up: email stpatssc@gmail.com, go to facebook.com/spafcpatronsaints or pop by the Patron Saints desk in the club shop on match nights.

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Jimmy O’Connor – hat-trick hero Sean Creedon

The coronavirus pandemic has further delayed plans by Bohemians and Shelbourne to build a new-look Dalymount Park in conjunction with Dublin City Council. while he was playing for a club in the top division of a national league. And there is video evidence to prove it.

The clubs have been friendly rivals down through the years, going back to the early part of the last century, when they were both founder members of the League of Ireland in 1921.

Fifty three years ago Jimmy O’Connor scored a hat trick for Shelbourne against Bohemians at Dalymount Park. I’m sure Jimmy wasn’t the first Shels player to get a hat-trick at the Phibsboro venue, but the one on Sunday November 19, 1967 was scored in two minutes, 13 seconds, a world record.

There have been many claims over the past 53 years for quicker hat-tricks in lower leagues around the world, but what made Jimmy’s special was that it was scored

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Fifty three years on what does Jimmy remember of the famous hat-trick? ‘‘To be honest not a lot.

Luckily there is video on You Tube otherwise I would have difficulty remembering the goals. I do remember my father saying to me when I got home to Ballyfermot after the game that it certainly was a quick hat-trick. There was no champagne as I was only 19 years old at the time and didn’t drink alcohol.’’ ‘‘There were a lot of comments in the national papers for a few days after the game about the hattrick. But as most footballers do, I just looked ahead to next game and the hat-trick was quickly forgotten,’’ he said.

Twenty three years ago a group of Shelbourne supporters led by Paul Byrne decided that Jimmy’s achievement should be properly recognised and deserved a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Deirdre Ni Fhloinn who at the time worked for TG4, managed to locate the grainy video with commentary by Philip Greene.

Match reports were easy to locate

and luckily referee Michael Quinn had kept his notebook from 30 years earlier. Quinn had noted ‘a rapid fire hat-trick’ in his book.

With all that evidence the Guinness Book of Records could not disagree and Jimmy made it into print for their Millennium edition of the famous records book.

In that League of Ireland game at Dalymount Park 53 years ago Bohemians led 2-0 at half-time.

But nine minutes into the second half after good work by Garvan and Hamill on the left O’Connor scored for Shels at the Tramway End. Bohemians kicked off and Mulhall, who had scored Bohemians first goal, had a shot on target. But Shels broke away and Garvan, Gannon and Conroy were involved in the build-up just in front of the dugout. Conroy chipped the ball in the box and Jimmy simply lifted the ball over the head of goalkeeper O’Toole, 85 seconds after his first goal.

The third goal was the best. Again Gerry Garvan broke down the left hand side and got in a great cross which was met by O’Connor’s head. The video clock shows 2.13.

Philip Greene on commentary wondered aloud as to what

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manager Gerry Doyle had said to the Shelbourne players at halftime.

Jimmy grew up in Landen Road in Ballyfermot and his first club was ‘The Jets.’ Jimmy said: ‘‘Later a group of local lads got a team going on Landen. We were called Landen United and played our home games in the Phoenix Park. A scout from Shelbourne spotted me and I joined the Reds as a minor.’’ ‘‘Gibby McKenzie was manager of Shels at that time and later Gerry Doyle took over. Around that time I had begun working for motor assembly company Reg Armstrong in Ringsend; when they closed I moved to Toyota.’’ ‘‘I played for Shels from 1966 to 1972 and only scored 26 League goals. I wasn’t the most prolific goalscorer, but I suppose I will always be remembered for that hat-trick,’’ added Jimmy.

Jimmy later moved to Dalkey United and finished his senior career with Limerick. He dropped down to junior football and played until he was 39 with local Ballyfermot clubs: Black Diamonds, Colepark and Ballyfermot United.

Jimmy’s son Barry was a more prolific scorer than his father, with 107 goals in the League of Ireland and 26 in the Irish League with Cliftonville. Jimmy’s other sons Jimmy and Keith played junior soccer, while his fourth son Brian didn’t play.

All that football took its toll and Jimmy had a hip operation in 2010 and two years later got a new knee. He is now happily retired and keeps fit by walking his daughter Stacey’s dogs every day.

Jimmy, who is 72, lives with his wife Pam in Palmerstown, just a kick of a ball from his native Ballyfermot.

Legendary Manchester United manager Matt Busby was at that game in Dalymount 53 years ago, but we never heard which player the Scot had come to watch.

‘‘Due to the Coronavirus Lockdown I have not been able to get to Tolka Park this season to see Shels back in the premier division. I saw them on the television against Rovers and I think they should stay and hopefully I will get to see them next season,’’ said Jimmy

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Squad Sponsorship 2020 1 Brian Maher

2 Rory Feely

SMcN Consulting 4 Dan Ward

3 Ian Bermingham

The Clock

Bill Duggan

5 Lee Desmond Will Morgan

7 Robbie Benson

8 Darragh Markey

The Malt House 10 Ronan Hale Kevin Roche

Tommy Keyes 9 Martin Rennie

The Clock

Sean Foley

11 Dean Clarke

14 Luke McNally

Sweeney Family

15 Billy King

6 Jamie Lennon

16 Jay McClelland

The Malt House 17 Simon Madden

St Patrick’s Athletic Supporters Group

Cian Menton 18 Jake Walker

19 Chris Forrester

O’Callaghan Family 21 Paul Cleary

Mtiscot.land 22 James Doona

Brian Bramhall 26 Brendan Clarke Conro Services 35 Darragh Burns Thompson Solicitors

Joan Stapleton 27 Cian Hughes

20 Shane Griffin Daragh O’Halloran 25 Conor Kearns Dalton Family 34 Ben McCormack

Lauren O’Reilly

Conor O’Toole

Stephen O’Donnell

Patrick Cregg

The Patron Saints

Daragh O’Toole

Pat Jennings

Alan Mathews

Zoe O’Reilly

Grace O’Reilly 27

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Stephen Bennett

@stebenn15

Covid: The robber of lives, the thief of happiness As we battle through this barren period in the club's history, it is Covid - that robber of lives, that thief of happiness - that is preventing supporters from being there to watch it.

Of course we'd all love to be in our spiritual home of Richmond Park today, venting, ranting, but above all supporting.

I'm firmly of the belief that this horrible goalless, shot-shy run we're on has something to do

with a lack of fans.

Fans bring pressure, and if a squad is up for it, a good kind of pressure. An expectation that we will score, we will attack and we dare not lose.

The hardened support at Pats will tolerate a lot. We keep coming back regardless. Teams respect that.

'If you can't be there when we're losing, don't be there when we're winning' is the familiar refrain that, let's be honest, few in this country heed.

Results of late have been patchy.

But wild horses wouldn't stop us from being there for a Dublin derby against Shelbourne in normal times.

However, these are not normal times. We are living in a sort of fan purgatory, being able to watch the matches but not being able to properly support your team.

If there isn't a hotline for 'Concerned neighbours of LOI fans' there should be.

The irrationalities of life on the terraces don't transfer well to home life.

The dog, if you have one, is probably wondering what you have become by now.

And we wonder how those armchair fans do it, year-in, yearout. Gawking and sometimes screaming at a rectangle in the corner of their living rooms.

There is no outlet for them. Well, there technically is an outlet for them, as in their local football team, but that would be like Donald Trump tweeting his support for Black Lives Matter.

If our LOI life is purgatory (at least we know the turnstiles will click again), the armchair fan is in hell, probably thinking they're in heaven.

Fake crowd noise might trick them into believing that there is an atmosphere in the Covid Leagues.

WatchLOI, however, doesn't go there.

It's raw, unfiltered football.

Hallows be thy name...

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St Pat’s Die-hards chat to Stephen O’Donnell through locked gates prior to The Saints playing Finn Harps in a Monday evening FAI Cup tie at Ballybofey.

Instead, we've got 22 angry voices on the pitch and more on the sidelines, roaring and hollering. It's like a sideshow to the main event.

Be it a vaccine or a natural fizzling out, or whatever, normal life must return soon. Part of that means being a supporter again.

But it has to end soon. In fact, a few things have to end soon. Like Pats scoring a goal for one.

A proper one, not one under house arrest. Our sofas, and probably, our neighbours will thank us.

We'll take that for now. But the longing to attend is fast becoming unbearable.

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It’s Quiz Time!

1

Name the 4 players Arsenal have signed from Southampton in the Premier League era?

2

What is the oldest stadium to host a Premier League game?

3

Shelbourne were involved in the first ever penalty shoot out in the FAI Cup in 1990.

Who were the Opposition?

4

Which 2 Englishmen managed countries at the World Cup in 1994?

5

Who scored the winning penalty for Shamrock Rovers when they beat Dundalk in the final last year?

Answers on Page 40

6

Rory Feely's brother Kevin played for which League of Ireland club?

7

Which club were promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time this year?

8

Who is the only Israeli to win a European Cup/Champions league winners medal?

9

Which country has made the semi-finals of the last 3 European Championship tournaments?

10

Which Scottish club did Anthony Stokes recently leave?

Inchicore’s Newest Firm Proudly Supporting Inchicore’s Red Army CALL OR EMAIL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

10a Grattan Crescent, Inchicore, Dublin 8 Tel: +353 1 2150185 Email: info@thompsonsolicitors.ie

www.ThompsonSolicitors.ie 31

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A View from Afar Ian Templeman

@iantemplemanloi

Over here in England, while top level professional football is still being played behind closed doors, the position is different at semi-professional levels.

Since the end of August, semi-pro teams have been able to stage games, and welcome paying spectators, in accordance with rules laid down by the FA in consultation with the UK Government.

31st August 2020, when we were allowed to have spectators at games provided that the number didn’t exceed 30 per cent of the minimum ground grading capacity – in our case 300.

As I sit writing this, I have so far attended three games in season 2020-21 over here, in front of attendances of 150, 231 and 120 in my role as Media Officer for Daisy Hill FC, who play in the tenth tier of English football, in the North West Counties League Division One North. However, in order to get the games played, clubs at our level have had to carry out a lot of work, and it has, to be frank, been a challenging and not a particularly enjoyable experience for all the volunteers that run the club.

Normal activities involved in staging a game on have all had to be amended and adjusted, in line with the times we are living in.

With our average crowd ranging typically from around 60 up to 150, depending on the opposition, that all sounded OK. But, as ever, the devil was in the detail.

We had, in all honesty, been expecting to be waiting a few months more before clubs at our level could take part in competitive games, but to our surprise in early August, an announcement from the FA stated that from 22nd to 30 August 2020, spectators would be permitted to attend fixtures at our level, providing that the number did not exceed 15 per cent of the minimum ground grading capacity, in our case 150 spectators A club had to play at least one preseason or competitive fixture under these circumstances before moving on to stage two, which was from

32

As we read on, in order to meet the required public health standards, each club had to name an existing member of their Board/Trustees or Staff as a ’Covid-19 Officer‘, who was responsible for oversight of the Covid-19 risk assessments, and that the club was adhering to their responsibilities.

All clubs also had to undertake a Risk Assessment, and then publish this on their club website before any fixtures were hosted – within three weeks of us receiving the notification. Then, of course, there were the more obvious issues such as hygiene, facilities to be provided, and all equipment such as balls and training cones to be cleaned regularly after use.

It was a list that involved a collective sharp intake of breath, and I suppose we were more fortunate than most in that our Vice-Chairman was able to head this up. He also runs a junior team and had already had to prepare a COVID 19 policy for them. So, under his guidance, we set about working through the checklist.

Our first game was in the last week of August, and as it turned out it was a good test as we were hosting the newly formed Bury AFC, who were formed as a phoenix club after the original Football League club folded last season. We had to impose an all-ticket crowd of 150, which is no real problem to accommodate under normal circumstances, but a bit more challenging when you had to ensure social distancing in the bar area from where you access the only toilets in the ground.

However, it all passed off OK, and apart from some rather dubious interpretations of social distancing from Bury fans – who of course could have been in family groups and therefore gathering legitimately – we were happy with how it all went.

Next up was our first competitive game, in the Preliminary Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, against Colne, a team from two divisions higher and who had a reputation for a good sized travelling support. By this stage we were in September and allowed to accommodate 300 spectators, and with Colne suggesting around 50 would travel, and the game was in midweek, we decided not to make the game allticket.

However, it was a lovely sunny evening, and with a long queue stretching back across the car park from the turnstile I found myself desperately counting up all the signatures on the track and trace

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completely. He added that there are several other sports that would take delight in pointing out to the Government that football is not complying.

We were also told that in the event of any reported breaches of the regulations, the League had been instructed by the FA to withdraw a club’s fixtures.

The pressure on clubs to ensure that they weren’t to be the ones to let everyone down was palpable.

sheets we had at the entrance that everyone entering had signed. At one point we were wondering if the house full sign would go up, but once everyone was in, a quick count revealed a crowd of 231. So apart from a few anxious moments before kick off, it transpired that again the evening passed off without incident.

Just before our third game on Saturday 19th September, a localised lockdown was announced in our Council area, and although a football club at our level was still allowed to continue to stage an outdoor fixture, we received a circular from the League Secretary.

He said the FA were mindful of issues concerning non-compliance to Covid Regulations, and it was clearly stated that we were in a delicate position. If clubs failed to comply with regulations, it could mean that the Government ordered all games to be played behind closed doors and even stop football

As there was no professional football in the area available to watch, and the weather forecast for the Saturday was good, the chances of a decent crowd turning up increased as the game approached.

We decided to make more signs reminding people about distancing, tape more arrows to the bar floor and on the terraces, put in a basic queuing system at the tea bar and in the club house bar. Everyone’s home and office printers churned out numerous notices to pin up on walls and doors, the club house was rearranged, and a copy of the statement from the FA was handed out at the turnstile to everyone who came in.

As it happened, a smaller crowd than we had expected turned up, and the one-way systems and appeals for social distancing worked pretty well. So, a collective sigh of relief was expelled at the end of the day. But once again, having to plan and prepare was a time consuming process, and fi you thought about it long enough, a slightly worrying one at times.

involved in a grass roots football club – we aren’t health and safety experts, or people who are of a mind to spend Saturday afternoons patrolling around telling people to stand 2 metres apart on the terraces, or making sure people are queuing properly at the toilets, or checking more regularly than normal that the toilets are clean.

Yes, I know it’s necessary and needs to be done, and we did do it – and did very well too, even though I say so myself - but at the end of a working week when you are looking to pursue a voluntary spare time interest for enjoyment and relaxation, it’s not quite what we expected to be doing a few short months ago.

I appreciate that there may be many people reading this now who may be craving live football action, and are desperate to experience once again of turning up at a ground, handing over admission money, buying a programme and a pre-match pint or cup of tea, and settling down to watch a game from stands and terraces. All I can say to you is that when you eventually get to that point, in whatever sport you are watching and especially if the host club is manned by volunteers, just spare a thought for what they have had to do in order to stage the game safely and in accordance with Government guidelines, and if you get the chance, thank them for their efforts.

It's a sobering thought that if we want to organise a game of football at our level in front of paying spectators, this way of life may be with us for some time yet.

Ian Templeman

We are, after all, volunteers

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Stephen Bennett @stebenn15

Eircom League Premier Division Irish Independent - Saturday 24 February, 2001 Philip Quinn

ST PATRICK'S ATH 4 SHELBOURNE 1 FROM a whisper to a scream.

The Saints' revival as a force in the Eircom League gathered further momentum as Shelbourne were gunned down mercilessly at a rocking Richmond Park.

Four goals between the 50th and 68th minutes, two of them from former Shelbourne striker Liam Kelly, left the Reds in a ragged heap and catapulted the Saints firmly into the championship frame.

Seven points off the pace now, with a game in hand, the team which were rock bottom in October, are on the mother and father of a roll.

Little wonder that Pat Dolan, man of so many hats at Inchicore, milked the moment for what it was worth, charging across the pitch at the final whistle before saluting the exultant Saints' supporters in the Main Stand. Dolan was entitled to his jog of delight as he's overseen an extraordinary turnaround in the club's fortunes - they've lost just twice, in their last 27 games.

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ACROBATIC: St. Patrick’s Michael Holt attempts an overhead kick under pressure from Shelbourne’s Eoin Heary during last night’s Eircom League Premier Division clash at Richmond Park.

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First, Kelly sent Williams the wrongway from the spot after Avery John, who had an unhappy night, handled.

Then, the Saints' set-piece routine kicked in when Daragh Maguire's towering header from a Martin Russell corner exposed the soft underbelly of the Reds defence when Scully isn't around.

Stunned, Shels' marking was again non-existent soon after when Robbie Griffin arrived on cue at the near post to dispatch another Russell delivery beyond Williams with a firm header.

Robby McGuinness of St Patrick’s Athletic takes the ball around Shelbourne’s Avery John during their Premier Division game in Richmond Park last night.

"I said to the team at halftime, are we boys or men? I got the response I wanted," said Dolan. "This result gives ourselves and everyone else hope, but Shels are still well clear."

As for Shels, it wasn't just that they lost to a Dublin club for the first time this season, rather the alarming manner of their capitulation which has put a serious question mark over their capacity to retain their title.

True, they could point to the loss of Pat Scully, through injury, at halftime as the skippers absence was sorely felt when the Saints scored from two set-pieces. In addition, goalkeeper Steve Williams was labouring from an early stage after a late challenge by Michael Holt and by the time he was substituted, the Reds were on the. rack.

But overall the Reds lacked a cutting

edge as the tell-tale signs of battle fatigue, evident in recent games against Derry and Finn1 Harps, again surfaced as they slumped to their worst defeat under Dermot Keely’s management.

Not even the boost of a third minute goal from Dessie Baker could inspire them as they never looked like scoring again.

After Stephen McGuinness failed to cut out a straightforward right-wing delivery from Richie Baker, Dessie darted into the penalty box and beat Seamus Kelly with a crisp right-foot finish.

Groggy, Shels were sent sprawling to the canvas when Kelly waltzed around Tony McCarthy to beat Williams at the near post. It wasn't over for Shels as McCarthy was put through only for Williams to prevent further embarrassment.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC S Kelly, Crolly, R McGuinness Maguire, Burke (Doyle 42), S McGuinness, Griffin, Russell (Osam 85), Holt, L Kelly (Hughes 90), McCarthy.

SHELBOURNE Williams (O'Hara 84), Heary, John, Scully (Hutchinson 45), McCarthy, Fenlon, Doolin (Byrne 67), Crawford, D Baker, Keddy, R Baker.

REFEREE J. McDermott (Dublin).

Premier Division Table

Gradually, the flames of passion were doused, replaced by spells of untidy, broken, play.

But the plodding nature of the game was transformed utterly early in the second half.

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ION PRINT IT D E D E IT IM UR L TO ORDER YO C.COM F S T A P T S @ O ACT INF PLEASE CONT

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Player Apps & Goals 2020 Up to and including Derry City game on Friday 18th September.

26 Brendan Clarke

GK

LEAGUE

TOTAL

FAI CUP

Pld

Gls

Pld

Gls

Pld

Gls

12

0

0

0

12

0

2 Rory Feely

D

11

0

1

0

12

0

3 Ian Bermingham (C)

D

6+2s

0

1

0

7+2s

0

4 Dan Ward

D

4+2s

0

1

0

5+2s

0

5 Lee Desmond

D

11+1s

0

0

0

11+1s

0

6 Jamie Lennon

M

9+2s

0

1

0

10+2s

0

7 Robbie Benson

M

10

1

1s

0

10+1s

1

8 Darragh Markey

M

1+6s

0

1

0

2+6s

0

9 Martin Rennie

F

2+7s

0

1

0

3+7s

0

12 Georgie Kelly

F

7

2

1s

0

7+1s

2

14 Luke McNally

D

12

0

1

0

13

0

15 Billy King

M

8+1s

1

0

0

8+1s

1

16 Jay McClelland

M

4+6s

0

1

0

5+6s

0

17 Simon Madden

D

0

0

0

0

0

0

19 Chris Forrester

M

10+1s

1

1s

0

10+2s

1

20 Shane Griffin

D

8

0

0

0

8

0

22 James Doona

F

1+5s

0

1s

0

1+6s

0

23 Jordan Gibson

F

7+2s

0

1

0

8+2s

0

24 David Titov

D

5

0

1

0

6

0

25 Conor Kearns

GK

0

0

1

0

1

0

27 Cian Hughes

M

0

0

0

0

0

0

28 Glory Nzingo

M

0

0

0

0

0

0

30 Paul Cleary

D

0

0

0

0

0

0

32 Cian Kelly

D

0

0

0

0

0

0

34 Ben McCormack

M

0

0

0

0

0

0

35 Darragh Burns

M

1s

0

0

0

1s

0

37 Daniel Dobbin

D

0

0

0

0

0

0

38 Kian Corbally

M

0

0

0

0

0

0

5 Ollie Younger

D

10 Ronan Hale

F

11 Dean Clarke

F

19 Jake Walker

F

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

39

25Sept20-Shelbourne-01_A5 25/09/2020 12:36 Page 40

2020 Fixtures, Results & Lineouts Date

Opposition

Venue Comp Score

Fri 14 Feb

Waterford

Home Series 1

0-1

Clarke

Feely

Bermingham

Desmond

McNally

D Clarke

Lennon

Be

Fri 21 Feb

Sligo Rovers

Away Series 2

2-0

Clarke

Feely

Bermingham

Desmond

McNally

Younger

Benson

Fo

Fri 28 Feb

Shelbourne

Away Series 4

0-1

Clarke

Feely

Bermingham

Desmond

McNally

McClelland

Markey

Fo

Fri 06 Mar

Cork City

Home Series 5

1-0

Clarke

Younger

Griffin

Desmond

McNally

McClelland

Ward

Fo

Fri 31 July

Dundalk

Away Series 6

1-1

Clarke

Feely

McNally

Desmond

Lennon

Titov

Ward

Fo

Mon 03 Aug Derry City

Home Series 3

0-1

Clarke

Feely

McNally

Desmond

Titov

Lennon

Ward

G

Fri 07 Aug

Finn Harps

Home Series 7

2-0

Clarke

Feely

Bermingham

McNally

Titov

Lennon

Forrester

G

Mon 10 Aug Finn Harps

Away FAI Cup

0-1

Kearns

Feely

Bermingham

McNally

Titov

Lennon

Markey

W

Sun 16 Aug Shamrock Rovers Home Series 8

0-0

Clarke

Feely

Bermingham

McNally

Titov

Desmond

Lennon

G

Sat 22 Aug Bohemians

Away Series 9

0-2

Clarke

Feely

Bermingham

McNally

Desmond

Lennon

King

Be

Fri 04 Sep

Away Series 10

0-3

Clarke

Feely

Griffin

McNally

Desmond

Lennon

King

Be

Sun 12 Sep Sligo Rovers

Home Series 11

0-0

Clarke

Feely

Griffin

McNally

Desmond

Lennon

King

Be

Fri 18 Sep

Away Series 12

0-0

Clarke

Feely

Grifin

McNally

Desmond

Lennon

King

Be

Sat 26 Sep Shelbourne

Home Series 13

0-1

Sat 03 Oct

Cork City

Away Series 14

0-1

Fri 09 Oct

Dundalk

Home Series 15

0-1

Sat 17 Oct

Finn Harps

Away Series 16

0-1

Fri 23 Oct

Shamrock Rovers

Away Series 17

0-1

Fri 30 Oct

Bohemians

Home Series 18

0-1

Waterford

Derry City

First XI

Quiz Time!

1

Theo Walcott, Calum Chambers, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cedric Soares.

40

Questions on Page 33

2

Bramall Lane.

5

Gary O'Neill.

8

Avi Cohen.

3

Bray Wanderers.

6

Bohs.

9

Germany.

4

Jack Charlton, Roy Hodgson.

7

Union Berlin.

10 Livingston.

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

25Sept20-Shelbourne-01_A5 25/09/2020 12:36 Page 41

League

FAI Cup

1st Sub 2nd Sub 3rd Sub

4th Sub

5th Sub

* Own Goal For

1 Goals Scored P Penalty OG Own Goal

Yellow Card

Red Card

Substitutes Benson

King

McClelland

Rennie

Forrester

Hale

Doona

Ward

Younger

Walker

Kearns

King

Hale

Doona

D Clarke

Lennon

Rennie

Ward

Griffin

McClelland

Kearns

Forrester

King

D Clarke

Hale

Doona

Rennie

Walker

Ward

Lennon

Griffin

Kearns

Forrester

King

1

Rennie

D Clarke

Lennon

Doona

Bermingham

Markey

Hale

Walker

Kearns

Forrester

Benson

1

Griffin

Gibson

McClelland

Rennie

Markey

Bermingham

McCormack

Burns

Kearns

Griffin

Benson

Kelly

Gibson

McClelland

Forrester

Rennie

Markey

Burns

Burns

Kearns

Griffin

Benson

Kelly

McClelland

Ward

Desmond

Markey

Gibson

Rennie

Burns

Kearns

Ward

Gibson

Rennie

McClelland

Kelly

Forrester

Benson

Doona

Cleary

Burns

Clarke

Griffin

Benson

Forrester

Kelly

Ward

King

Gibson

Markey

McClelland

Cleary

Kearns

Benson

Gibson

Forrester

Kelly

McClelland

Doona

Markey

Rennie

McClelland

Cleary

Kearns

Benson

Gibson

Ward

Kelly

McClelland

Doona

Markey

Rennie

Bermingham

Titov

Kearns

Benson

Gibson

Forrester

Kelly

McClelland

Bermingham

Markey

Titov

Ward

Rennie

Kearns

Benson

Gibson

Forrester

Kelly

Markey

McClelland

Rennie

Bermingham

Ward

Burns

Kearns

Forrester

1

1

2

Premier League Table Club

P

W

D

L

1 Shamrock Rvs 12 10

2

2 Bohemians

12

8

3 Dundalk

10

4 Waterford

GF

GA

GD

PTS

0 30

7

23

32

0

4

13

7

6

24

5

2

3

20 14

6

17

12

5

2

5

15 18

-3

17

5 Sligo Rovers

12

5

1

6

14 16

-2

16

6 Derry City

11

3

4

4

11 10

1

13

7 Shelbourne

12

3

4

5

10 13

-3

13

8 St Pat’s Ath

12

3

4

5

6

10

-4

13

9 Finn Harps

12

2

3

7

8

19 -11

9

10 Cork City

11

2

2

7

6

19 -13

8

Includes Games on Monday 21 September

2020 Season • Vol. 32 • No. 6 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne

41

25Sept20-Shelbourne-01_A5 25/09/2020 12:36 Page 42

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