The Saint (Vol 33 #7)

2021 Season • Premier Division • Vol. 33 • No. 07 Fri 28 May • Richmond Park, Inchicore, D8 • KO:7.45PM

Paddy Barrett

Editorial

Ronan O’Flaherty

Ruairi Kavanagh

@stpatsprogramme

Good Evening Hi, Welcome to the Saint for our second edition in a week, busy times all round! It's hard to believe that this is our 14th game of the season, but I think it's fair to say that we have all been pleasantly propelled along by the relative good form of our team. We find ourselves nicely positioned, and well capable of making a lasting impact on the business end of the table.

The last issue was very well received, and we have worked hard to put together another good one for you! The second part of our Brian Kerr interview takes us through the highs and lows of managing Pats in the 90's, the pain and the glory, and the songs that stick in Brian's mind when he recalls those heady days.

designs and our list of contributors: Ronan O'Flaherty, Stephen Bennett, Sean Creedon, Seán Brennan, Ian Templeman, John Keegan, Jimmy Edwards, Damien Byrne John Owens, Dermot Looney, Paul Maguire and Pat O'Callaghan.

As I said in the first issue, as illustrious as the above panel is, there is still a key ingredient missing. Yepwe are still looking for a female contributor to provide their much valued input into the programme. Hopefully we might get a volunteer for the second half of the season. We would love to hear from you, get in touch at stpatsprogramme@gmail.com.

Big game tonight, let's go into the break with a win and show that we mean business!

Enjoy the game and come on the Saints.....

Putting together a programme of this size requires a lot of work, and a lot of reliable contributors. As we near the half way point of the season I would like to once again thank Joe O'Rourke for his great

Ruairi Kavanagh Editor The Saint

Contents 20

Supersaint

38

Eurozone

24

Once a Saint...

44

Club History

28

Opposition Watch

46

Pats from the Past

34

Pensive Points

50

A View from Afar

Programme Production Editor Ruairi Kavanagh

Design Joe O’Rourke

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

Photo Sportsfile & Inpho 3

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

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

Tonight’s Squads

President’s Welcome

St Patrick’s Athletic

Dundalk

Tom O’Mahony

Manager:

Sporting Dir: Jim Magilton

Alan Mathews

Head Coach: Stephen O’Donnell 1 Vítězslav Jaroš

GK o

2 John Mountney

D

3 Ian Bermingham

D

4 Sam Bone

D

o

5 Lee Desmond

D

o

GK o

o

3 Brian Gartland

D

o

o

4 Andy Boyle

D

o

5 Chris Shields

M

o

6 Sonni Nattestad

D

o

6 Jamie Lennon

M

o

7 Michael Duffy

M

o

7 Robbie Benson

M

o

8 Sam Stanton

M

o

8 Chris Forrester

M

o

9 Patrick Hoban

F

o

o

10 Greg Sloggett

M

o

9 Nahum Melvin-Lambert F 10 Ronan Coughlan

F

o

11 Patrick McEleney

M

o

11 Jay McClellend

F

o

13 Raivis Jurkovskis

D

o

12 Matty Smith

F

o

14 Peter Cherrie

GK o

15 Billy King

F

o

15 Darragh Leahy

D

o

16 Alfie Lewis

M

o

16 Sean Murray

M

o

17 Darragh Burns

F

o

17 Ole Erik Midtskogen F

o

18 Ben McCormack

M

o

19 Wilfried Zahibo

o

20 Shane Griffin

D

o

20 Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe F

o

21 Barry Murphy

GK o

21 Daniel Cleary

D

o

25 Josh Keeley

GK o

22 Taner Dogan

M

o

27 Daniel Norris

M

o

23 Cameron Dummigan D

o

28 Cian Kelly

D

o

25 Val Adedokun

M

o

29 Paddy Barrett

D

o

27 Daniel Kelly

M

o

31 Kian Corbally

M

o

28 Ryan O’Kane

M

o

29 David McMillan

F

o

77 Han Jeongwoo

F

o

90 Jesus Perez

M

o

TBA Terique Mohammed D

o

stpatsfc /stpatsfc

Match Officials

/stpatsfctv

Referee Neil Doyle

stpatsfc.com

4

Good Evening

Giuseppe Rossi

1 Alessio Abibi

/stpatsfc

info@stpatsfc.com

Coach:

Half-Time

Assistant 1 Wayne McDonnell

Full-Time

Assistant 2 Darragh Keegan

M

@jimmyedwards41

4th Official Rob Harvey

MOTM

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

Good evening and welcome again to Richmond Park, wherever you may be watching from. I'd also like to extend a warm welcome to the players and officials of Dundalk.

This is our last game before the mid-season break so it's a good time for some stocktaking. 25 points from our first 13 games is a very good return and, with just a three point gap to the table toppers, sets us up very nicely for an exciting run of games when we return in a fortnight's time. A win tonight would be a further boost but we can expect a strong backlash from our visitors after their very disappointing result on Monday; their squad oozes quality and it's only a week since they ended the champions' record unbeaten run, so anything less than a 100% performance from our team tonight is likely to be punished.

Any stocktaking has to home in on the areas in which we have improved from last season, and the obvious one relates to taking our chances. Drogheda sit on top of the goalscoring charts thanks to the seven goals scored when Waterford were forced to field a team of kids due to a COVID issue. If that is discounted, no team has scored more than St Pats. That, allied with a continuation of last season's defensive solidity, has transformed us from mid-table mediocrity to potential title challengers. It's also very satisfying to see the progression of our academy starlets into our squad, and both Darragh Burns and Ben McCormack have played a big part in delivering vital points.

The big negative, of course, is that our resurgence has taken place in the absence of fans. I can only imagine how our old stadium

would have rocked last Friday if it was packed with partisan supporters for the most dramatic of Dublin derbies, with victory sealed in the final moments after it seemed to have been most unfairly snatched away. As the reopening of society gathers pace, it seems certain that the coming months will see a phased return to spectators at our games. The sooner the better. We have assembled a squad which can't be faulted for the effort put into every match, week after week, and they deserve to have supporters there to show their appreciation and to urge them on to even greater levels of achievement.

It is now 14 months since football shut down and eventually resumed without supporters.

In the context of such an incredibly tough time for our economy, our society and the thousand of families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic, the challenges faced by our game seem to pale into insignificance - but they have been immense challenges which at one point seemed to have the potential to jeopardise the future of many clubs - quite possibly including ourselves.

We have needed a lot of help to come through this and, as I've done before, I particularly want to thank the supporters and sponsors who have reached into their pockets to keep us going. I hope that the second half of the season will deliver more entertainment and a modicum of success, in return for the faith you have shown.

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

Tom O'Mahony President St Patrick's Athletic FC

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

FAI JUNIOR CUP 1940/41 FAI YOUTH CUP 1944/45

5

The Dugout

Ronan O’Flaherty

Alan Mathews & Stephen O’Donnell

Following the disappointment of the defeat against Drogheda United, we were delighted with the reaction that the players showed in last week's Dublin derby victory against Bohemians.

It's always tough against Bohs and there hasn't been much between the teams in recent meetings.

That was again the case last Friday, though when we finally took the lead through Matty Smith, it was a deserved breakthrough. To concede an equaliser right at the end of regulation time was very disappointing.

To only come away from it with a point, after taking the game to our opponents for sustained spells, would have been hard to take. The players deserve credit for refusing to let their heads drop.

Somehow, they found a way to score a winner in injury time. On this occasion, it was a penalty, and a merited penalty at that. We don't get many spot kicks, so it was a huge relief to see Robbie Benson – who was excellent after coming on as a sub – score it.

After conceding so late against Rovers a couple of weeks earlier, it was nice that the shoe was on the other foot on this occasion. The players always keep going until the final whistle, even when it looks like the football gods are going against us, and on this occasion they got exactly what they deserved.

OUR GAME IS ON THE BALL

UMBRO TEAMWEAR

That fighting spirit was again on display at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Monday. We were the better team over the course of the game but, after conceding against the run of play, found ourselves 2-1 down as the game entered its latter stages. We have been encouraging Billy King to try and add to his goal tally. Billy is an important player for us and there are more goals in him. He did very well to find a yard of space in the box and got on the end of an outstanding cross from Ben McCormack to head home the equaliser.

The performance was a good one, especially on a difficult pitch that was a bit on the dry side. Derry has always been a hard place to go, so it's a precious point in that context and we immediately move on to the next challenge.

The games have been coming thick and fast and tonight we take on Dundalk. A warm welcome is extended to everyone connected with the Lilywhites. We came close to beating them earlier this season in a highly competitive game at Oriel Park and would dearly like to go one better today.

Dundalk come into the game as a wounded animal following their defeat to Bohemians on Monday.

That makes them extra dangerous as they will be determined to bounce back, and we know that they have players capable of causing any team problems. But we will be going all out to get a positive result too. It's set up for a highly competitive match.

When the final whistle goes tonight, the team will have played three games in the space of a week.

The little break that follows has arrived at a good time. With a bit of luck, we can maximise the downtime to rest tired bodies and get them in good shape for the rest of the season.

We can think about all of that after the game. For now, our focus is on the task at hand.

Enjoy the game, Alan Mathews and Stephen O'Donnell

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT UMBRO.IE OR CONTACT ALAN (086 7880808)/ RICHY (086 0317672) 2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

7

Oh My Word!

Ronan O’Flaherty

Ronan O’Flaherty

@ronanoflaherty

It was the most important game of the season to date.

Crowds flocked to WatchLOI in their digital droves.

Matches between Pat's and Shamrock Rovers are rarely top-ofthe-table fare. You had to trace all the way back to 1956 for the last time they both finished in the top two. The most recent renewal, three weeks ago, was still just an earlyseason encounter, but it was accompanied by a buzz.

It had been 180 days since Pat's last lost a league match. Just short of half-a-year. Admittedly, that timeframe includes an entire offseason. Even so, we had just about forgotten what the pain of losing felt like. And then it returned. Boy, did it return.

Not all defeats are the same. Some are more difficult to accept than others. Losing to a city rival in the dying embers falls right into the category marked "kick in the guts".

It started so promisingly, too. Chris Forrester allowed us to dream, if only for a little while. Dream that Pat's would inflict defeat on the champions and go top in the process. Disappointment is more raw when it follows a bout of dreaming.

Danny Mondroiu could hardly believe his eyes when the goal opened up for him deep into injury time. He took his chance ruthlessly.

It was like watching a loved one go through a moment of heartache.

You wanted to be there, but circumstances dictated that you couldn't

8

be. You offer words of consolation from the couch, but nobody hears them. They were preceded by words of frustration. Just as well nobody heard them, apart from the dog.

interest in football, apart from a fascination with the ball itself. On the evening of May 8, I was thankful for that. Football was the last thing I wanted to talk or think about.

Imagine if all those home viewers were in the stadium. It would have been a sellout. 5,000 would have packed into the Emmet Road amphitheatre and created an electric atmosphere. A meeting of the top two, played in glorious sunshine. A ringing endorsement for summer football, if ever there was one. Not that it needs to be endorsed; 18 seasons into the summer football experiment, it's safe to conclude that it's here to stay.

Thank God for the sunny disposition of dogs. As long as they are fed, walked and given the odd rub behind the ears, they will adore you until the end of time. We have much to learn from them, not the other way around.

Mondroiu's late intervention left us feeling nauseous. Hence the kick-inthe-guts categorisation. In another time, we would have dissected the match over a cold one in a Dublin 8 hostelry. Slowly, and without even noticing, the sense of disappointment would have made its way to the periphery. Time among friends brings healing.

But we couldn't do any of that. The final whistle sounded and there was no desire to stay logged on for a second longer. Instead of slowly exiting the stadium along with the masses, we got off the couch, put our shoes on, buttoned up the jacket and went for a long walk with the dog.

One day passed. Then another. We got over the defeat. Onwards and upwards, and all that.

By the time the next game arrived, we had been inoculated against the symptoms of defeat. Just as well.

The 3-1 loss at Head In The Game Park was, of course, disappointing.

And concerning. It's always a worry when your team loses successive games. But it was far removed from kick-in-the-gut territory.

An unexpected sense of anxiety crept in ahead of last Friday's match against Bohemians. For no good reason, you fear the worst. Three defeats in a row would have been alarming. But, mercifully, it didn't come to that. This time it was Pat's delivering the decisive late blow.

Dundalk accumulated 11 points from their first 11 games. They wouldn't have been happy about that. But last week's victory over Rovers was a big one.

My canine companion has no

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

It must be said that they received a helping hand in the build-up to the Rovers game, by virtue of a pep-talk from former 'Sopranos' actor Joseph Gannascoli. In an unusual video, the 62-year-old turned the air blue with 15 airings of the f-word in 81 seconds. He urged Dundalk to get one over "The Shams".

Gannascoli wasn't simply acting on impulse. He was paid for his time, all 81 seconds of it. Those behind the video went the extra mile, supplying him with a Dundalk jersey, cap, scarf and face mask.

He got straight to the point. "I want you to do me a favour," said the actor in his distinctive New York brogue. "I want you to beat them like you beat them in the Cup final. Like f***in' Tony beat Ralphie up. See what I'm saying? Don't make me f***in' tell you again."

Just in case the message hadn't hit home, he doubled down by adding: "So show 'em who's boss, tell 'em to get the f*** out of here, the Shams. Dundalk is the f***in' best."

A quick browse through cameo.com reveals that, for €191.88, Gannascoli will send you a video message of your choosing. It was so effective against Rovers, some have suggested they should enlist his services more often. Patrick McEleney and Daniel Kelly might have a different take on that.

Kelly, who netted Dundalk's winning goal, was next in line. "And Daniel Kelly," he said, before pausing and adding: "More like Danielle Kelly."

Shortly after Dundalk's defeat of Rovers, Gannascoli was at it again. The f-word count was significantly down on the original – just six mentions in 69 seconds. That said, he got straight down to business, saying: "I guess my little f***in' pep talk worked. We beat the Shams like a golf club beat my brother Brian."

Perhaps we could rope Wendell Pierce in. As a selfconfessed Saints supporter, he would do it for free, too.

Then he started naming names. It could be argued that remarks made about McEleney were intended as goodnatured; a celebration-of-sorts after he had scored the first goal. Judge for yourself: "Fats – he got the opener!

Patrick McEleney, my boy. Way to go kid, you fat bastard."

It's probably just a matter of time before another celebrity-of-sorts announces their grá for an Irish football club.

Truly, though, that should be the end of the celebrity shout-outs. It was mildly amusing to begin with before levelling off.

Let's just stick to the football.

Any views expressed in this article are the contributor's own.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

9

Dodge’s Data!

Ronan O’Flaherty

John Owens

@seidodge

League Record v Dundalk HOME GAMES

Last 10 games v Dundalk

AWAY GAMES

21

TOTAL GAMES

Date

Venue

Competition

17 Apr 2021

Oriel Park

League

1-1

Richmond Park

League

1-1

Oriel Park

League

1-1

25 Oct 2019

Oriel Park

League

0-4

27Jul 2019

Richmond Park

League

0-1

24 May 2019

Oriel Park

League

0-1

05 Apr 2019

Richmond Park

League

Richmond Park

League Cup

Oriel Park

League

Richmond Park

LSC

WIN

44

23

DRAW

LOSE

S Bone

31

20

76

76

152 51

24

01 Nov 2020

57

R Benson

33 31 Jul 2020

GOALS

122

GOALS

103

74

Record League Scores 19/01/55

28/12/69

24/03/16

Chapelizod

Richmond pk

Richmond pk

10-3

1-5

0-4

10/04/55

18/07/10

01/09/17

Oriel Park

Oriel Park

Oriel Park

3-0

3-0

0-6

R Benson

GOALS

117

196

220

Did you know?

TOMMY McCONVILLE holds the record for most overall appearances for Dundalk. Tommy played in 580 games across 3 different periods at the club from 1964 to 1986.

MAY

28 C Byrne, K Brennan, C Forrester, J Kelly 2

2013

Richmond Park

LOI

UCD

5-0

2007

Dalymount Park

LOI

Bohemians

0-2

2006

Gannon Park

FAI Cup 2nd Rd

Malahide United 2-0

M Quigley, T Molloy

2004

Richmond Park

LOI

Dublin City

C Foley, A O’Keeffe, K Dunne

3-1

1-0

D Cleary OG

01 Apr 2019

1-2

J Doona

05 Oct 2018

1-1

C Clifford

03 Sep 2018

1-0

K Toner

10

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

11

Pats 2 Bohs 1

Smith 74mins, Benson (pen) 94mins

Richmond Park • 21 May 2021 • Premier Division Ronan O’Flaherty

Starting XI 1 Jaroš 2 Mountney 3 Bermingham 4 Bone 5 Desmond 6 Lennon 8 Forrester 10 Coughlan 12 Smith 15 King 16 Lewis Subs 7 Benson 18 McCormack 29 Barrett

12

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

55 73

85

55 73 85

13

Squad Sponsorship

Ronan O’Flaherty

Vítězslav Jaroš

John Mountney

Ian Bermingham

Robbie Benson

Chris Forrester

Nahum Melvin-Lambert

Goalkeeper

Defender

Defender

Midfield

Midfield

Forward

1

2

3

7

8

9

HOME SPONSOR

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KAVANAGHS PUB

BISTO FLOOD APPRECIATION SOCIETY

BILL DUGGAN

LUKE MULLINS

DECED

KEVIN ROCHE

AWAY SPONSOR

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SWEENEYS

JOHN PAUL MOORE

CLÍODHNA BRAY

WILLIAM MORGAN

DC FITNESS PHYSIO

O'CALLAGHAN FAMILY

Sam Bone

Lee Desmond

Jamie Lennon

Ronan Coughlan

Jay McClellend

Matty Smith

Defender

Defender

Midfield

Forward

Forward

Forward

4

5

6

10

11

12

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

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HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC SUPPORTERS GROUP

WILL MORGAN

TOMMY KEYES

THE CLOCK

JOHN HUDSON

FYNCH

AWAY SPONSOR

AWAY SPONSOR

AWAY SPONSOR

AWAY SPONSOR

AWAY SPONSOR

AWAY SPONSOR

THE LADS OFF THE CAMAC

CIAN MENTON

KILLIAN DONNELLY

MUSCAT SAINTS

BRIAN BRAMHALL

PATRICK COSTELLO TD

14

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

15

Squad Sponsorship Billy King

Alfie Lewis

Darragh Burns

Josh Keeley

Daniel Norris

Cian Kelly

Forward

Midfield

Forward

Goalkeeper

Midfield

Defender

15

16

17

25

27

28

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

SMcN CONSULTING

PATRON SAINTS

THOMPSON SOLICITORS

GRACE O'REILLY

CONOR O'TOOLE

LAUREN O'REILLY AWAY SPONSOR

AWAY SPONSOR

AWAY SPONSOR

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AWAY SPONSOR

AWAY SPONSOR

QUALITY MOTORS

ZOE O'REILLY

MARK B SHOPFITTING LTD.

PRECISION IRELAND

DARRAGH O'TOOLE

Ben McCormack

Shane Griffin

Barry Murphy

Paddy Barrett

Kian Corbally

Stephen O’Donnell

Midfield

Defender

Goalkeeper

Defender

Midfield

Head Coach

18

16

Ronan O’Flaherty

20

21

29

31

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

SEI

DARAGH O'HALLORAN

DALTON FAMILY

PROLINK STAFFING

McCRUDDEN FITNESS AWAY SPONSOR

AWAY SPONSOR

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JOAN STAPLETON

CAMAC SAINTS 2.0

SCOTT KELLY

PROLINK STAFFING

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

17

Irish Independent Saturday 29 May 2004 MAY

28 2004

ST PATRICK'S ATH 3 DUBLIN CITY 1

McDonnell’s ideal start AS managerial debuts go it wasn't too bad. John McDonnell's two-day old appointment brought an immediate return down Inchicore way last night as the taste of victory visited Richmond Park for the first time this season... and Pat's doubled their lead over bottom, side Dublin City to six points.

In a fairly open contest, not entirely reminiscent of desperate basement battles, it was two second half goals from Aiden O'Keefe and Keith Dunne that separated the sides, leaving Dublin City boss John Gill staring at a long season.

The Saints had plenty of possession, with bundles of skill and no little flair, yet still they seek a clinical edge. Dublin City meanwhile, huffed and puffed with greater focus yet could not blow down the Saints' over.

The visitors took the lead in typical style after the quarter hour though; Gary O'Neill's quick feet set Barry Burke free, his cross making its way to Cathal O'Connor who volleyed wonderfully past Chris Adamson in the Pat's goal.

If anything however, the goal came too early for City, as it merely served to force Pat's into attack. The mercurial Joseph Ndo fired a stinging shot at Robbie Horgan from 30 yards, testing his gloves' adhesive qualities to the limit.

When the scarcely deserved equaliser arrived it

18

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.04 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Longford Town

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

was no surprise that it was from the head of a defender; Colm Foley who met Keith Fahey's corner with great power. It was only Pats' eighth goal of the season. City looked to have scored minutes from the break from Dom Tierney's hooked shot but somehow it failed to cross the line and left pulling at his moustache in the visitor's dugout.

The second half saw Pat's pressure continue and again a defensive head was causing problems for the Vikings.

Darragh Maguire flashed a header narrowly over before turning provider on the hour when he cushioned a high ball to O'Keefe who finished well. Dunne completed the scoring in the 83rd minute to flatter the scoreline for the hosts.

ST PAT'S: Adamson; Quigley, El Khebyr, Ndo, Maguire, Foley, Osam (Casey, 70), Fahey, Bird, O'Keefe (Smith, 88), Dunne.

Subs: Smith, Byrne, Clarke, Jones.

DUBLIN CITY: Horgan, Burke, Byrne, Griffin, Whelehan, Crowiey, O'Connor, Colwell, O'Neill, Tierney (Hughes 62), Foy (Brennan 56).

Subs: Collins, Scully, Kennedy.

REF: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)

19

Super Saints Brian Kerr

Ronan O’Flaherty

Johnny Keegan

@johnnykeegan

A life through music...Part II We begin part two of Brian Kerr – A Life Through Music in 1990. Brian is in his fourth full season in charge of the club. We’re playing in Harold’s Cross, and on a shoestring budget, Brian has assembled a squad featuring the likes of Curtis Fleming, Johnny McDonnell, Pat Fenlon, Paul Osam, Damien Byrne and Mark Ennis.

But it’s Paul ‘Nudger’ Nugent, his player/assistant manager at the time, who springs to mind when the subject turns to music.

“’A Walk Across the Rooftops’ is still one of my favourite songs. The Blue Nile have lasted the test of time for me, and I associate them with Pat’s and 1990, driving to away games and feeling good. I remember driving up to Dundalk, hoping for a draw between them and Derry, I think. It was a draw, and I remember driving back and playing the Blue Nile, feeling good, thinking that this is going our way.”

PAUL NUGENT

THE BLUE NILE & PAUL BUCHANAN

“I was up seeing Paul yesterday, in Marymount in

“Big Derek McGuinness, who a lot of people

Lucan. Paul had been unwell and was being

would know from doing security at Pat’s,

cared for in Scotland. And thanks to the

Shelbourne and Ireland games over the years,

generosity and hard work of a few good people,

Derek does the door in Vicar Street, he’s a lovely,

we got him back here. We had him down in

lovely fella. I’d be in Vicar Street a good bit. One

Inchicore at a game not too long ago, and we’re

night The Blue Nile are playing and Derek comes

hoping that there’ll be a bit of a reunion at some

up to me and says “You like these, don’t you?

stage in the near future between us all.”

Would you like to meet your man after it?” I

Things did go our way that year, and Kerr

went in, the lads are sitting around having a beer “Paul knew that I liked music, and we often

after the show, and someone introduces me to

talked about it back then. He was a bit younger

Paul Buchanan. “You’re the football bloke,” Paul

than me, well about six or seven years younger,

says to me. You don’t know what to say to these

and he was always very cool, his brother was in a

people. He was the loveliest fella. I was made up

band, and Paul always had a haircut… He’s a

to meet him.”

delivered the club’s first major silverware since 1961. It meant the world to Brian.

“I was the fan managing the team. That Easter Monday in Drogheda when we won the league, the joy was unconfined. It was extraordinary, we beat UCD 4-0 on the Sunday and then had to play in Drogheda on Monday, two days in-a-row. I’d never seen Pat’s win anything. It was an honest joy on my part, it wasn’t just the self-satisfaction of a personal achievement for me and the team, it was about being a fan and sharing it with everyone else.”

stylish fella. One day he says to me “Have you ever heard of The Blue Nile?” “The Blue Nile!

It’s funny to imagine Kerr like this, roles reversed,

Yeah, of course.” I couldn’t believe it, because I’d

stuck for words, not knowing what to say when

been listening to The Blue Nile for a couple of

faced with another of his musical heroes.

years. They were a bit of a cult band, Scottish, from Glasgow.”

20

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

21

Super Saints Brian Kerr

Ronan O’Flaherty

Johnny Keegan

@johnnykeegan

ROBERT MILES & 1996

I SAID MAYBE…

“The night we won the league in Dundalk, the

“We eventually got back to Inchicore at about

game wasn’t on tele, but RTÉ had a camera

one in the morning. I remember Jason Byrne

plonked on the touchline beside us, it was on us

going, “Sure we won’t get in anywhere now.” So,

most of the time, and I remember saying to Cyril

we throw the gear into 125 and we walked down

Walsh at half time, “Cyril do us a favour and

to the Horse & Jockey. You can hear the noise

push that bleedin camera down the line away

form it. And here’s us, the team that just won the

from me, it’s doing me head in.”

league, knocking on the window trying to get in,”

“I’ve been lucky enough to manage teams that

Brian is in hysterics recalling a famous night that

I’ve dreamt about as a kid. When I used to go to

carried on well into the next morning.

watch Pat’s as a kid, I used to think that the

“As you know, Paul ‘Soupy’ Campbell scored that famous goal, stuck it right up in the top corner,

running down the touchline like a madman. It

anything that I’ve given anyone has been given

was an iconic night in terms of the club. After

back, a hundred-fold, in the respect, loyalty and

that, driving to matches with the kids in the car,

goodness that people show me. I look at what’s

I’d always play Robert Miles and it always

happening now, the work going on in the club

brought a smile to everyone’s face.”

with Garett, the directors and volunteers, the great community work being done under the

THROUGH THICK & THIN

needed to come back to being that community

“The door opens, and about

who could do magical things. Imagine going to

always show a lot of emotion

ten blokes fall out, the door

games in Inchicore and dreaming of being the

when we scored, I always felt

was keeping them in. So,

manager of Pat’s, and ending up doing it, it

that there was enough time

we pile in, what a night!

really was the stuff of dreams for me.”

left and the opposition might

Soupy sang Wonderwall,

score. But when he scored

the Oasis song, an acapella

“To get ten years as manager of Pat’s, without a

that goal, I knew that was it,

version, everyone singing

day of the crowd booing,” Brian jokes, recalling

they were down to ten men…

along for the chorus, it was

a heavy defeat to Cobh in Inchicore.

All the pent-up emotion of

brilliant! Ricky O’Flaherty

those years… Harold’s Cross.

did an Irish dance too, he

“5-0! And the crowd didn’t boo. I remember

had two pints, one in each

Paddy Eccles giving the linesman a hard time

Did we make a mistake? The

hand, and never spilled a drop.”

over the fourth goal being offside. I went mad, ran amuck at them at half time. It got worse in

receivership. The liquidation. All those times. The heartache. Fighting with the various chairmen

“Anyway,” Brian laughs. We’ve taken the scenic

the second half. Johnny McDonnell scored an

and owners between 1990 and 1993/94, until

route, but we get back to Robert Miles…

OG from near the halfway line over on the righthand side, put it over Gareth Byrne’s head. We

we got back to Inchicore and Tim O’Flaherty took a hold of things. That all came out when Soupy

“The first thing on Saturday Sport was going to

scored. I went on a mad run down the touchline,

be a review of the season, and they played

got a penalty and Dave Campbell missed it…”

giving it a little bit of a dance,” Brian pumps the

Robert Miles’ ‘Children’ to a string of all our

“It’s because of things like that, that my

fists and laughs in a similar fashion to back then.

goals, finishing with Soupy scoring and me

attachment to Pat’s is unbreakable. And

22

club.”

manager was this celestial person, someone

and I went mad. I didn’t

Are we ever going to get back?

radar, that’s what we need to be doing, we

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

In part three, Brian looks back on his days with the FAI international teams, with a host of stories involving his great friend and colleague, Noel O’Reilly, Aslan, U2 and, strangely, Mamma Mia! the musical.

23

Once A Saint... Killian Brennan Damien Byrne

@DamienByrne92 We also asked Killian to

Former Saints midfield maestro Killian Brennan has been impressed by the Saints this season so far.

pick his best XI of players he played with at St Pat’s. He has gone

The Drogheda native, who had two spells with the club, feels success is a real possibility given the start and has been keeping an eye on results so far this campaign.

“I still keep an eye on all results.

I think Pats have done really well this year so far to date.

Stevie (O’Donnell) seems to have put his stamp on what he wants his team to be like and play like. I do still think maybe they could be a couple of players away from challenging but there really doesn’t seem to be a lot between much of the teams.”

Brennan, who won the 2013 PFAI player of the year in the St Pat’s league winning campaign, also acknowledged the absence of fans at present.

“It is hard to watch it with no fans for sure. I’m sure it’s weird for the players to get

24

themselves to that level all the time. I think Pats will qualify for a Europa spot this year so that’s good news moving forward.”

for a 4-4-2 with

Killian initially joined St Pats for that 2013 campaign and finished his professional career at the club after his second spell in 2018. Back at that time, he knew that he was coming into a good squad at that time that could challenge.

Brendan Clarke,

“When I came in 2013 the lads looked like they were pretty strong as they’d challenged in 2012. It worked out well for us, me coming in and maybe getting that extra 5/10% which was needed to get across the line that year.”

That second spell in 2017 however wasn’t the same. Many of the 2013/2014 team had moved on and it was an utterly different experience for a serial winner.

“Coming back to the club in 2017 held different challenge for me, lots of different things from the first time. I felt lads needed to look at themselves and realise that we were in a relegation battle. It was very new to me for sure.”

Brennan knew however his experience was required and set about helping the club and squad stay in the league.

“There were lads hurting and lacking confidence, so what I tried to do was to try to train hard, roll the sleeves up and try to instil some calm about the place. It was hard work, but we got there in the end and stayed up.”

Despite the varying experiences in the red

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

selection below!

Ger O’Brien, Kenny Browne, Celebrating the FAI Cup win in 2014

Jordi Balk, and white of the Saints Brennan, who ranks among one of the most decorated players in League of Ireland history, has a hugely successful history with the club. Having picked up two separate Player of the Year awards in 2013, Killian won every domestic honour possible while at the club. Despite this, there is a clear favourite memory.

“I loved most of my time at St Pats. There are some very good people in and around the club that do marvellous work. I was lucky enough to be around when we won a couple of things. The FAI cup was probably the stand-out moment for me as the club hadn’t won it in so long. That would be number one memory, then the league the year before was up

there along with a few personal awards over the 2013 & 2014 seasons.”

Ian Bermingham;

Having retired in 2018 football is purely a hobby now for Brennan.

The opportunity to spend more time with loved ones after a career in the spotlight was a big reason for hanging up the boots.

Like most, the pandemic has but a stop that at present, but a return is planned.

Conan Byrne,

“When I retired, I just wanted to take myself completely away from football and enjoy some time with my family and mates.

I was still playing, and I still am at much lower level more so with mates. I enjoyed it while this was all before COVID-19 hit so when things get back up running, I’m sure I’ll still be kicking ball somewhere.”

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

Greg Bolger, Keith Fahey, Chris Forrester; Christy Fagan, Anto Flood.

25

Pitchside Sponsors We would like to thank the following who have sponsored the club for the 2021 season...

OUR GAME KNOWS YOUR NAME THE OFFICIAL MATCH BALL FOR THE 2021 SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE, FEATURING BESPOKE BALLS MADE FOR EACH CLUB

WWW.UMBRO.IE 2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

27

Opposition Watch

Ronan O’Flaherty

Paul Maguire

@PaulGoS

I always think this should be known as the Works derby...

the break and only a “right

Next up was Shamrock Rovers,

rollicking” at half-time from

unbeaten since 1946 or

Magilton sparked them into life

something but they were hit early

and Ole Erik Midtskogen

on with a breakaway goal after

Both clubs having been founded by

constant state of flux and that’s off

subject of much ridicule and fans of

equalised 3 minutes into the

Dan Kelly set Patrick McEleney

employees of the two great railway

the pitch but it could easily

other clubs reminding them of the

second half with a far-post header

free to slot home after 11

works of this island, Pats from the

describe their form on it so far this

times they were shaking buckets

from a Michael Duffy cross. Duffy

minutes but the lead only lasted

Great Southern & Western Railway

season. Only 3 wins all season yet

outside games just to keep afloat.

himself had a great chance to

3 minutes when a spectacular

in Inchicore and Dundalk emerging

one of them was this day last week

Instead, Dundalk’s loyal supporters

secure the win late on when

mess-up gifted the visitors an

from the Great Northern Railway

against the champions and ended

are left wondering what has

equaliser. Dundalk were on the

(Ireland) works. Both were highly

their record breaking winning

happened to their club, let us not

back-foot as Rovers pushed for

innovative and influential organi-

streak? That victory may have

forget, the second most successful

the lead goal and Abibi was

sations who shaped the

bought some breathing space for

club in the league. Breaking up a

pushed into action several times

communities which grew up around

the owners Peak 6, and the

winning team with the likes of Sean

but against the run of play Dan

them. These communities provided

chairman, Bill Hulsizer but after

Gannon, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey

Kelly rifled the winner past Alan

the first players and supporters of

Monday nights capitulation against

and (now) our own John Mountney

Mannus and despite late Rovers

the two great clubs.

Bohs in Dalymount Park supporters

allowed to leave the club while

pressure the Liliywhites held out

So, what to expect tonight? As

will again be calling for heads to

replacing them with virtual

for what appeared to be a season

listed above despite their

roll and quite honestly, you can’t

unknowns who have no knowledge

changing result, then Monday

shortcomings this season Dundalk

blame them. Dundalk’s success and

or experience in this league save

happened...

have serious quality in their squad

subsequent Europa League qualifi-

for Peter Cherrie (Derry) and Junior

cation on two occasions was

Ogedi Uzokwe (Sligo). Managers,

unheard of in this league. That they

head coaches, tea ladys etc have

didn’t disgrace themselves in either

come & gone and we’re left with

campaign gave the league in

sporting director Jim Magilton in

general a huge fillip and I think it

charge of the team, this week

allowed fans of all clubs to walk a

anyway...

Anyway, on to the football and goodness, where to start with Dundalk??!? Unpredictable, unsettled, schizophrenic, in a

little taller in the knowledge that teams from our league that we watched week in week out were now in the same competitions and on the same TV channels as the Arsenals, Man Utds & Celtics of this footballing world, something we could throw back at non-believers.

Alessio Abibi

28

So, what sort of form are Dundalk in coming into this game? Currently lying 7th in the table on 14 points – half the total of league leaders Sligo Rovers – and a goal difference of -3 - their last three games are a microcosm of their season so far.

Whether it was fatigue from the Rovers game or just a bad day at Daniel Cleary

hammering. OK, as noted in last weeks programme, Bohs have through one-on-one but shot straight at the keeper. Dundalk fluffed chances before that with both Duffy and Junior working the Harps keeper. One noticeable sound-bite from the post-game interviews with Magilton was that he thought his side had been intimidated by Harps set-up in the

Dundalk fans would have been

Finn Harps away is always a tough

first half, when has that been said

rejoicing at the end of the bad old

place to get a result and Dundalk

about Dundalk in recent years?

days when Oriel Park was the

found themselves a goal behind at

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

the office, this was a proper

improved of late but the Dundalk team sheet included such names as Andy Boyle, Chris Shields, Michael Duffy, Dave McMillan, Greg Sloggett and Patrick McEleney. All quality and experienced players who should not be getting beaten 5-1 by a Bohs team that were down to 10 men after 51 minutes but it didn’t

Patrick McEleney

suggesting that the source of their troubles lies off the pitch but there is always the danger that if they click, if they get that determination to compete and win every loose ball then they can still beat anyone on the day. Michael Duffy is in decent form and Patrick McEleney still know where the goal is but at the back they are vunerable. Either way the Saints will have to be on top form to stay in that top three battle. It’s just so strange for tonight’s opponents not to be up there part of it.

matter as the damage had already been done.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

Any views expressed in this article are the contributor's own.

29

Pitchside Sponsors

Who’s Who at The Saint?

We would like to thank the following who have

Like so many other things on match night, it takes considerable effort

sponsored the club for the 2021 season...

to compile the issue of The Saint you’re viewing. So who’s who?

RUAIRI KAVANAGH: EDITOR

KIERAN COUGHLAN

Works with the club, contributors and designers ato deliver each issue. Apart from that he specialises in getting randomers to come along to their first Pats game. This tactic has yielded a 100% win ratio to date.

When not found on the Camac, Kieran is to be found finding inventive ways to torture Saints fans with his fiendishly tricky questions.

JOE O’ROURKE: DESIGNER Part of the All Saints Show, having previously designed the club murals among other things Joe has spearheaded the redesign of The Saint and was a major reason for us being named Programme of the Year. Thanks Joe! PAT O’CALLAGHAN Long club serving historian and programme curator.

Pat has been involved with the club and the programme for decades. He’s also one of the friendly faces you encounter when entering the ground to buy your programme.

JIMMY EDWARDS Following on from his father's (of the same name) 30 years of writing for the programme, Jimmy Edwards (Junior) continues the Pensive Points tradition.

JOHN OWENS Statto supreme, we reckon he has shares in Microsoft Excel. An incredible range of knowledge, John was way too modest when he once described himself as just a ‘guy with a few spread sheets!’.

IAN TEMPLEMAN Our foreign correspondent. Writes, with considerable eloquence, from the UK with his observations on our league and particularly the Saints. Ever reliable, always has his copy in first.

RONAN O’FLAHERTY Journalist with a passion for Pats, Ronan comes from good Saints stock, as his surname might suggest. Ever the optimist Ronan can put a positive slant on the most dismal run of form. We know, we gave him plenty of opportunities last season!

30

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

STEPHEN BENNETT Journalist with the Herald and a lifelong Saints fan.

Inchicore born and bred, a lover of soccer history both home and abroad. He's not great at getting trains back from away matches, however.

DERMOT LOONEY Dermot is from Greenhills and has followed Pat's since he was a teenager in the 1990's. He is working on a St Pat's History project, researching and collecting information on the history of our club. You can check it out at @HistoryStPats on Twitter. Get in touch with him with any memories or memorabilia from the club's history.

SEÁN BRENNAN Seán is a full time languages teacher in Dublin a part time writer on football culture and cooking. He has been following St Pats since the early noughties and Serie A since the late nineties. A former resident of France, UK and Germany, he enjoys train journeys, radio, pasta and everything with the prefix ‘Euro-‘.

PAUL MAGUIRE Inchicore born & bred, Paul has been following the Saints since the late 80s. Favourite ever Pats player is Eddie Gormley. Used to host The All Saints Show and Pats match commentary until the FAI closed it down so now writes about the opposition rather than talking about them. Has around 50 Pats jerseys but can only fit into 10 of them. Plays guitar and sings, likes trains.

SEAN CREEDON A Kerryman living in Dublin... a long time. He has been attending League of Ireland and Republic of Ireland home games for over 50 years. Interested in all sports, but mainly GAA, Soccer and Rugby. A member of the Soccer Writers’Association. Writes on LOI and international matters.

31

Derry 2 Pats 2

Desmond 22mins, King 84mins

Brandywell Stadium • 24 May 2021O’Flaherty • Premier Division Ronan

Starting XI 1

Jaroš

2

Mountney

4

Bone

5

Desmond

7

Benson

8

Forrester

10

Coughlan

16

Lewis

15

King

20

Griffin

34

29

Barrett

79

3

Bermingham

34

9

Melvin-Lambert

70

18

McCormack

79

70

Subs

32

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

33

Pensive Points Jimmy Edwards

@jimmyedwards41

Good Evening All, Welcome to Jim Magilton and all from Dundalk FC

Georgie Kelly stepped up to take the penalty and

and Jamie Lennon (suspended)

few deflections ended up in the

Mountney made a clean

to tonight’s game in Richmond Park. Dundalk come

went for power over precision and smashed the

two big players for us this

back of the net with Ronan

connection to a Robbie Benson

into tonight’s encounter in mixed form having

ball off the crossbar to all our relief. We opened

season. I have say I am not a fan

Boyce being credited with the

corner but could only direct it

beaten the Champions Shamrock Rovers in Oriel

the scoring in the 74th minute through a wonderful

of the astro pitches and I

goal. Robbie Benson will feel he

over the bar. We had to settle for

Park two weeks ago and then losing to Bohemians

finish from Matty Smith when he ran onto a through

thought the one in Derry was

should have scored when

a share of the spoils in the

in Dalymount last week. I don’t think any team in

ball pass from Robbie Benson and slotted it past

dreadful for both team,s

making a great run onto a

Brandwell in an entertaining

this league would be foolish enough to underes-

the keeper into his far corner. Boh’s came back into

although Derry do have the

through ball and clipping the

encounter. While Derry is always

timate just how good this Dundalk team are, and

the game and put us under late pressure and were

advantage of training on it so

top of the crossbar with the goal

a tough place to go and get a

they could click into gear and go on a run at any

awarded what can only be described as another

they are used to dealing with the

at his mercy, 1-1 at the break.

result I think the lads will feel

point. Let’s remember there’s only 13 games played

controversial penalty kick. I have since watched

unusual bounce the ball can

The second half ebbed and

like that was two points

from a 36 game season, unlike last year, where if

replays back a number of times and it’s clear to me

take.

flowed but I felt Pats were the

dropped. We go into a summer

you did have a bad start there wasn’t really any

that the foul by John Mountney on Liam Burt

better team keeping possession

two week break between games

chance to make back the ground with it being only

happens about a foot outside the box and Burt falls

I remember one long ball played

and creating chances but it was

after tonight’s game and after 13

a half season. We certainly won’t be taken them for

into the box. Dawson Devoy stepped up and

by Derry and the natural bounce

Derry who took the lead in the

games we find ourselves 3rd on

granted and will treat them with the respect they

dispatched the penalty, sending Jaros the wrong

would be for the ball to bounce

69th minute with a brilliant

25 points behind leaders Sligo

deserve.

way. 1-1 injury time now and just when it was

forward but this one spun

powerful strike just outside the

Rovers. Best wishes to Shane

looking like it would be a share of the spoils

sideways. It’s just not good

box from Joe Thompson giving

Griffin who went off injured in

Our two previous matches at home to Bohemians

between the sides a deflected cross from John

enough at this level in my

Jaros no chance.

Derry and hopefully we will have

last Friday and then away to Derry have brought us

Mountney into the box led to another penalty when

opinion for any team not to be

4 more points, and while I feel that’s a fair return I

ref adjudged that Ciaran Kelly had fouled Robbie

playing on grass week in week

Derry’s tails were up now for the

available for selection again very

think we got 3 points against Boh’s when we

Benson when both players went up in the air to

out. I thought we handled the

next few minutes as they went in

soon. Here’s hoping for a Pats

probably only deserved one, and we got one

challenge for the ball. Robbie stepped and buried

pitch quite well and passed the

search of another but Pat’s came

win.

against Derry when we probably deserved all three.

the ball into the back of the net sending Talbot

ball around really well. I was

back into the game and finished

Shane, Matty and Darragh Burns

diving the wrong way to win it late for us thankfully.

impressed with our set pieces as

the stronger team for the last 15

Enjoy the game,

The Boh’s game was a typical Helter-Skelter Dublin

I heard the comments of both Alan Matthews and

we seemed to a variation of

minutes and we got our just

Up the Saints,

Derby, where both sides had spells of possession

Keith Long after the game and both felt that the

corner kick routines that were

rewards in the 84th minute when

Jimmy

and dominance in the game and both sides tested

winning penalty was a penalty but I must say again

asking Derry all sorts of

Billy King buried a header after a

the opposition keeper. Bohemians will feel unlucky

I was not convinced it felt as though we came away

questions and we took the lead

great ball in from substitute Ben

not to have taken a lead in at half time having been

with 3 points when we probably only deserved one.

from a corner when Lee

McCormack after some nice

awarded what looked like a very harsh penalty

I thought Jamie Lennon was brilliant throughout

Desmond scored a brilliant back

footwork from fellow substitute

when the ref deemed Ian Bermingham to have

the game and it was great to have Robbie Benson

header in the 22nd minute. Lee

Melvin-Lambert. Pat’s now had

handled the ball when jumping in the wall for a

back available as he gives us another real attacking

seems to like scoring in the

the bit between their teeth and

Boh’s free kick. If that’s a penalty then I think we are

threat.

Brandwell. Derry equalised 5

went looking for a winner and

minutes later again from a

the lads will feel somewhat

going to see a lot more of them awarded because it’s a natural reaction for a players arm to come up

Onto Derry we travelled last Monday only this time

corner when the ball after

unlucky not to have grabbed an

to protect their face when facing a free kick.

we had to play without both Matty Smith (injured)

bobbling around and taking a

injury time goal when John

34

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

Any views expressed in this article are the contributor's own.

35

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 month | €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.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.76 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

37 37

Eurozone Seán Brennan

@SBahnManc

The Northern Lights Bringing The Champions League to The Arctic Circle

The badge of the Norilsk city football association

In Northern Scandinavia, above

the opportunity to develop much

relinquishing it, they stormed to

semi-regular participants in

connection; the former drummer

the Arctic Circle, FK Bodø/Glimt

of a European pedigree or

the title, comfortably eclipsing

European competition, having

of Scottish band Glasvegas,

have endured a long, dark

coefficient points, and playing in

the previous year’s champions,

had famous victories against the

Jonna Löfgren, coming from

winter. The club from the 60,000

UEFA’s 22nd ranked league is a

Molde.

likes of Chelsea, Galatasaray and

there.

inhabited town of Bodø in

further hinderance in a pot which

Norway’s Nordland region have

will include teams like

Sporting success has been hard

musically also on the map, being

Further east, in Russia, FC Sever

Olympiakos, Dinamo Zagreb and

to come by traditionally for

home to electro group Röyksopp

Murmansk, from the Arctic’s

Red Star Belgrade.

northern clubs in Scandinavia.

(their track ‘Eple’ featured on

largest city (300,000 population)

Teams from Northern Norway

TV3’s Champions League

went bankrupt in 2014. Their

Stavenger, Vålerenga, Molde,

Glimt nonetheless impressed this

were not allowed participate in

coverage).

zenith was 2 seasons in the

and of course, serial champions

season (2020/21) in their first

the top flight until 1972, partially

Rosenborg.

European tour in 16 years. They

due to a perception that they

Across in Lapland, RoPS in the

beat 2 different Žalgiris’ from

weren’t up to the standard, and

town of Rovaniemi, just 6km

This summer however they will

Lithuania, the latter from Vilnius

also due to geographical

below the Arctic Circle, are one

2002. Norilsk’s football city

arrive into the bright lights of the

being the club which knocked St

distance. Bodø, over 1,000km

of the more successful Northern

league proceeds at level 9 of the

UEFA Champions League

Patrick’s out of Europe in 2013.

drive north of Oslo, is one of the

Scandinavian teams. Finnish Cup

Russian football pyramid, under

Qualifiers. Bodø/Glimt won the

Glimt followed this up with a

larger towns in an otherwise

champions in 2013, the club’s

inhospitable conditions, acid

Norwegian Eliteserien last

very respectable 2-3 away defeat

sparsely populated and isolated

best European performance was

rain, and smog.

season, and will be entering the

to AC Milan. Winger Jens Petter

region; the indigenous Sami

a Cup Winners’ Cup quarter final

First Qualifying Round along

Hauge impressed the Italians

community being some of the

in 1988. They knocked Shamrock

with Shamrock Rovers.

enough for them to splash out

few willing to live in such harsh

Rovers out of the Europa League

€5 million on him. Striker Kasper

conditions. While there is the

in 2016, and until last season’s

Neither Glimt nor Rovers will be

Junker also left the champions,

undoubted beauty of the

relegation, were top flight

sponsor wasn’t able to fund the

seeded, so they will both face an

to Urawa Red Diamonds in

Northern Lights, along with the

regulars in the Finnish

club anymore, leaving Murmansk

uphill battle. Glimt have not had

Japan for over €2 million; both

Gulf Stream giving the town an

Veikkausliga.

football fans without a club to

of these transfers giving the

Irish-like climate, there is no

Norwegian champions a solid

escaping the perpetual darkness

Meanwhile, Northern Sweden

financial footing.

in wintertime.

isn’t able to welcome top flight

Russia’s other Arctic city, Norilsk

southern clubs on a regular

(Population ca. 200,000) perhaps

long been operating in the shadows of the country’s bigger clubs from further south: Viking

Red Star. The town of Tromsø is

Soviet second tier in the 1960s, however their local government

Realistically, Bodø/Glimt, Tromsø, RoPS celebrating winning the Finnish Cup

follow.

Glimt is the Norwegian word for

These curses of geography affect

basis. Kiruna FF and Bodens BK

wisely competes in the Russian

‘Flash’, and last season was just

other Arctic clubs. Their

have both played in the second

indoor Futsal championship.

that, as they burned brightly to

Norwegian rivals Tromsø are the

tier of Swedish football, however

Norilsky Nikel, named after the

the title, picking up 81 points in

most northerly top flight football

now languish in the 5th and 4th

region’s vast nickel mines, even

a 30 game season. Occupying

club in the world. Despite their

tier respectively. Boden, like

became Russian champions in

top spot from week 2, and never

geographical isolation, they are

Tromsø, also has a musical

and to an extent RoPS are anomalies. Northern Scandinavia and the Arctic region are not suited to developing outdoor sports, or even the population or economy to support it.

Nonetheless, Bodø/Glimt’s European campaign will certainly be worth following. Should they manage to make it to the winter, their home advantage could allow them see the 24 hour daylight of summer on the other side.

Bodø/Glimt facing AC Milan in the Europa League

38

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

39 39

Quiz Time Kieran Coughlan

1 Who scored Dundalk's first goal in a

6

Name the 4 players that were part of

Europa League group match last

the England squad for Euro 2012

year?

and 2016?

2 Former Saint Cyril Guedje played

7

Who is the last Balon D'or winner

international football for which

never to have won the Champions

African country?

League?

3 Who were the three Dundalk players

8

Which Irish international played for 3

that won the PFAI player of the year

English league clubs and a team in

in the last decade?

Australia, Scotland and a League of Ireland club?

4 Who has scored the most Premier League goals without ever winning the league?

9

Who is the only player to score two hat tricks in a single European Championship tournament?

5 Who won a European trophy with Man City and Nottingham Forest in the 70s?

MARCHING ON

40 40

WWW.MIG.IE

Q.1 Sean Murray. Q.2 Togo. Q.3 Michael Duffy, Richie Towell, Daryl Horgan. Q.4 Harry

THE SAINTS

Answers Kane. Q.5 Ian Bowyer. Q.6 Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, James Milner, Jordan Henderson.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

2016?

Q.7 Fabio Cannavaro. Q.8 Wes Hoolahan. Q.9 Michel Platini. Q.10 Oliver Giroud

McCarthy Insurance Group

10 Who scored the first goal of Euro

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

41 41

100 Years Of The FAI

Ronan O’Flaherty

Seán Creedon

Before we take a mid-season break I think it’s only right that we should pay tribute to the people who formed the Football Association of Ireland at a meeting in Molesworth Street one hundred years ago on June 1, 1921.

Soccer was introduced into Ireland in 1878 by a Belfast man who went to Scotland on his honeymoon. Yes it’s true.

Belfast merchant James McAlery, who was born in 1849, got married in 1878 and took his new bride to Scotland where he saw his first organised soccer game.

Mr McAlery was reported to very impressed by the new game, we are not told what Mrs McAlery’s views were! He decided to introduce soccer to Ireland by inviting two teams from Scotland, Queens Park and Caledonians, to play an exhibition game at Ulster Cricket Grounds in Ballynafeigh on October 24, 1878. Queens Park won the game 3-2.

The Irish Football Association (IFA) was formed on November 18, 1880 in Queen’s Hotel Belfast. The founding clubs were all from what we now call

42

Northern Ireland, with Dublin clubs joining later.

The first competition introduced by the IFA was the Irish Cup in the 1800-01 season. It would take another ten years before the establishment of the Irish Football League.

All was going reasonably well and an All-Ireland team that included two southern players Billy McConnell and Bill Lacey beat England 3-0 at Ayresome Park in Middlesbrough and then drew 1-1 with Scotland in Belfast to win the Home International Championship for the first time in 1913-14.

Between 1881 and 1921 when the Irish Cup was an All-Ireland competition, only two southern clubs won the competition, Shelbourne (3 wins) and Bohemians (1). Other Dublin clubs to compete in the Irish Cup were: Dublin University, St. James’s Gate, Dublin Association, Tritonville and Richmond Rovers.

There was a cooling in the North-South relations mainly because of the growing climate of nationalism in the South. The first World War broke out and then we had the Easter Rising in 1916 and by the time the guns fell silent on the battlegrounds of Europe, the structure of Irish was soccer was beginning to come apart.

Football relations between Dublin and Belfast were cordial and Dublin got its first ever senior international on March 17, 1900 when an All-Ireland team were beaten 2-0 by England. The attendance was estimated at 10,000 and the kick off was put back to 4pm to enable people to see a major event in the city, not the St Patrick’s Day Parade, but the Lord Mayor’s procession. The Irish team wore blue jerseys with a shamrock crest.

When Shelbourne drew the Irish Cup semi-final with Glentoran in Belfast in 1921 it was expected that the replay would be played in Dublin. But due to the political unrest at the time the IFA ruled that the replay should be played in Belfast.

Shelbourne refused to travel and then St James’ Gate, the holders of the Intermediate Cup, withdrew in protest at the IFA’s decision to hold the Intermediate final in Belfast,

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

despite a promise a year earlier that the final would be played in Dublin. It’s generally accepted that these incidents ‘were the straws that broke the camel’s back.’

The Leinster FA had become more strident in its dealings with the parent body in Belfast and at meeting in the Molesworth Hall on Molesworth Street on June 1, 1921 the Football Association of Ireland was formed. The Football League of Ireland was formed at the Leinster FA offices in Mary Street on August 30, 1921.

The inaugural eight clubs in the League of Ireland were, in the order they finished that first season: St James’s Gate, Bohemians, Shelbourne, Olympia, Jacobs, Frankfort, Dublin United and YMCA. The opening games in the new league were played on Saturday September 17 1921. The Gate also won the first-ever FAI Cup Final, beating Shamrock Rovers 1-0 in a replay at Dalymount Park on April 8, 1922.

The FAI sought official recognition from FIFA, but

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

within days the IFA had made contact with the English, Scottish and Welsh Associations and successfully lobbied to have the new organisation in Dublin black listed. No transfers would be allowed between players from the south of Ireland and clubs under the jurisdiction of the ‘home’ Associations would not be ratified and no fixtures would be awarded to the Irish Free State.

However, FAI officials in Dublin were aware that relations were not great between the British Associations and FIFA. And in what was a master stroke, FAI Council member Robert F. Murphy invited French club Gallia to travel to Dublin in March 1923 to play friendly games against Bohemians and Pioneers, who by then had joined the League of Ireland. At that time France had a strong voice in the corridors of international football and five months later FIFA accepted the FAI’s application.

Incidentally if you are heading into town to try and locate Molesworth Hall, you will not be successful, it was demolished in 1978.

43

Club History @dlooney

Dermot Looney

1944/45 Part 2: Major Wins for the Minors The FAI Youth Cup, previously known as the FAI Minor Cup, remains one of the premier underage competitions in Irish football. Beginning in the 1934/35 season, its early years were dominated by Home Farm and Rossville Minors. The latter club were run by Billy McCormack, who by the mid-1940’s had been recruited to run St Patrick’s Athletic minors.

St Pat’s had started back in 1929 as, in effect, an underage team. The Saints first fielded a B team as far back as 1932/33, allowing for young talent to come through the ranks.

But the culture of football in Ireland in the 1930’s and 40’s differed greatly from what we know today, particularly in underage terms.

There were no academies in the formal sense, and few underage clubs in general. There were leagues for Altar Boys and Shop Assistants but only limited organised schoolboy football.

The AUL Minor League catered for some of those teams in the Dublin area. St Pat’s had been sporadic members of this league, entering first in 1935/36 and again in 1940/41. From 1943/44 the minor

44

team were a more permanent fixture, with players such as Wall and Gough later making the step up to the senior team.

the wartime restrictions and focus at that time of the year on GAA, but the goalscorer for the Saints was Fearon.

The Pat’s Minors saw great success in the 1944/45 season. They had a strong season in the AUL Minor League, finishing in second place behind Bohemians, but excelled in Cup competitions.

Pat’s minors also took on Bohs in the final of the AUL Minor Subsidiary Cup on June 29th at Richmond Park. The Athletic again denied Bohs with a 4-1 win thanks to goals from Fearon, Hartnett and Morrissey (2).

Pat’s had a good run in the Leinster Minor Cup, defeating CYMS 5-2, St Andrews 6-2 and Glasnevin 2-1 before defeat by Bohemians in the semi-final. Revenge would come later that summer.

In one of the early rounds of the FAI Minor Cup, Pat’s defeated Clifton Utd 5-0. They received a bye in the 4th round and went on to beat Western Rovers of Cork by 2 goals to 1 in Turner’s Cross in the semifinal on May 20th. An appeal by Western was unsuccessful, leaving Pat’s to play Bohemians in the Minor Cup final at the unusual time of 7pm on Sunday June 17th at Tolka Park.

Bohs were already League winners and had won the Barrington and Leinster Minor Cups. However, the Saints ran out 1-0 winners on the day to capture their first ever underage trophy, and a national one at that.

Sadly, no match report was published in the papers given

Morrissey was among the players who made the step up to the Pat’s senior team the following season, eventually going to Shelbourne in the League of Ireland. JJ Kenny was another of the key players for the team.

One of the star players in the side was future Irish international Jimmy Hartnett. Hartnett, who worked as an apprentice electrician in the CIE Works, went on to represent St Pat’s at senior level in the Leinster League before transferring to Dundalk of the League of Ireland in 1947. “Small and wiry,” noted Dundalk historian Jim Murphy, “he was exceptionally fast with delightful ball skills.”

He played at outside left for Dundalk in the 1947/48 season, winning a call up to the League of Ireland representative team and a £2500 transfer to Middlesbrough FC in the English top flight. “If this

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

afternoon for the B team.

boy doesn’t make a big success, I’m a Dutch chocolate,” noted a reporter in the Dundalk Democrat. Hartnett had seven years at Middlesbrough and played two games for the Republic of Ireland against Spain and Luxembourg.

Perhaps the most famous player from that great minor side was its captain, Jimmy ‘Timber’ Cummins.

Born in the Ranch in Inchicore, he was a cousin of club founder Jim ‘Growler’ Cummins, his brother Tom, who had also played for Pat’s, and their younger brother Bart, a longtime Saints official.

Timber grew up on Phoenix Street next door to Thomas Kinsella, who has gone on to become one of Ireland’s greatest poets, and played with Kinsella and another Pat’s player, Dessie Byrne, for a Cupwinning Gaelic football team in the Model School in Inchicore in 1939.

Des Byrne went on to play for the famous underage team Munster Victoria before joining Pat’s minors; he was to return in the 1950’s as a League of Ireland veteran.

Timber, who played as a ‘pivot’ (centre-half), went on to a brilliant career in the great Pat’s Leinster Senior League team of the late 1940’s, and was a key part of perhaps the most famous Saints side of all – the team who entered the League of Ireland and won it at their first attempt in 1951/52. By the following season, Timber Cummins was first choice centre-half for the League of Ireland XI with a promising future ahead. But he suffered a horrific ‘double treble fracture’ in an inter-league game against the Irish League at Dalymount Park in April 1953, cutting short his career in his midtwenties. Timber remained a beloved figure around Richmond Park until his passing in 2016.

The 1944/45 minors not only contributed to future success at senior level for the club, but set the scene for a culture of excellence in underage football which continues to the present day.

Cummins played soccer at Under 15 and Under 16 level for a team called Dublin City before being invited onto the Pat’s minors, run by Billy McCormack. He often played three games in a weekend during this season; lining out on Saturday for the first team, on a Sunday morning for the minors, and on a Sunday

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

45

Stephen Bennett@stebenn15

FAI Harp Lager National League Premier Division Irish Independent - Saturday 20th February 1999

ST PATRICK'S ATH 1 DUNDALK 0 MARTIN RUSSELL'S priceless late winner helped St Patrick's Athletic march towards a second successive title gathered further momentum at Richmond Park last night.

Russell struck with just 16 minutes remaining to finally break the resistance of dogged 10-man Dundalk.

But, how Pats had to work to see off the

challenge from Jim McLoughlin's battling charges who arrived at the Stadium of Light determined to preserve their recent four-match unbeaten league run.

A night of frustration looked to be on the cards for Pats who huffed and puffed throughout the second half without ever really threatening to land the killer punch.

Pat's impregnable home record has seen them drop just two points from 39 at Richmond Park this season. But, this latest game turned in the home side's favour during a vital three-minute spell midway through the second half.

REDDISH SEES RED Dundalk were reduced to ten men after .65 minutes, when right full Shane Reddish received a rather harsh second yellow card from referee John Feighery for a challenge on Russell around half way.

SLIDE RULE . . . Dundalk’s David Martin and Trevor Crolly of St Pat’s battle it out for a loose ball during last night’s clash at Richmond Park.

46

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

Within two minutes - Jim McLoughlin was forced to replace Lee Thew with John "Jumbo" Brennan and Dundalk were further disrupted within seconds when influential midfielder Ray Campbell pulled up to be replaced by substitute Ciaran Dunne.

The big home crowd could almost sense that Pat's best opportunity had arrived and Russell duly delivered the goods as he arrived at the far post to chest home Martin Reilly's cross from the endline.

Ironically, prior to Russell's winner, Dundalk had created the best chance during a tense and tight second period.

After 58 minutes, a slick move saw Colin Fortune put Tom McNulty in on goal but the veteran midfielder totally miscued from 12 yards.

For all their second-half pressure, the Saints never managed to test in-form visiting keeper, Steve Williams, until injury time, when the latter got down well to deny Eddie Gormley's 12-yard strike.

But, Williams was certainly the busier of the two 'keepers during a slow-burning opening half although it took Pat's most of the first quarter to find their usual rythym.

However, as the half wore on, Dundalk had increasing difficulty dealing with the aerial threat presented by Paul Osam and Alan Gilzean in particular.

The home side's first clear-cut chance came after 16 minutes when Gilzean just failed to get the final touch after Osam had flicked on Trevor Woods lofted clearance.

Five minutes later, visiting keeper Williams was called into action again to deny a header from thc influential Osam.

With Dundalk defending in depth and at times a wall of white shirts in front of them, Pat's most promising route of attack was the aerial ball to Gilzean, However the visitors showed they could still pose a threat on the break.

After 23 minutes, Ray Campbell finished a surging 50-yard run with a sliderule pass which gave Brian Byme a brief sight of goal before Packie Lynch got a cross to make an important block.

KNEE INJURY Byme limped off soon afterwards with a knee injury and during thc second quarter goalkeeper Williams came to Dundalk's rescue again as Pats continued to turn the screw.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC Wood; Hawkins, Lynch, McGuinness; Doyle, Russell, Osam, Gormley, Croly; Gilzean, Molloy.

Subs: Reilly for Gilzean (52 mins), Braithwaite for Molloy (84 mins).

DUNDALK Williams; Reddish, Gollogley, Brady, Crawley; Thew, Fortune, Campbell, Byrne; Ward, McNulty.

Subs: Martin for Byrne (30 mins), Brennan for Thew (67 mins), Dunne for Campbell (68 mins).

REFEREE J Feighery (Dublin).

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

47

Club Shop

Ronan O’Flaherty

https://supersaintsstore.com/

Home Jersey Small Youths to 4XL

Staff Match Day Jacket Small Youths to 3XL

48

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Home Warm Up Jersey

Small Youths to 4XL

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27

Red Training Jersey

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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

Small Youths to 4XL

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27

Navy Training Jersey

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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

Small to 3XL

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35 49

A View from Afar

Ronan O’Flaherty

Ian Templeman

@iantemplemanloi

The opening weeks of the season saw three different Premier Division clubs make managerial changes, with Derry City, Waterford and tonight’s opponents Dundalk all overseeing alterations to their respective managerial teams.

For supporters, a new manager is greeted with a mixture of interest and expectation, as they await to see what impact on the field a new man will bring. However, for all the local and national media representatives, a new manager being appointed to a club that is on their patch will deliver a different set of emotions.

If you have spent time building a relationship with a manager, who you know will be good for a few quotes and soundbites both pre and post-match, when he is replaced by someone you don’t know, there is always some trepidation and concern that the new guy won’t be as easy to deal with as his predecessor.

However, I have no doubt that the new incumbents at all three clubs will take to media duties in the manner which has become the norm for this league. I have mentioned on these pages before now that I have always enjoyed the opportunities I have had over the years to speak to League of Ireland managers, when I have combined a trip over here to Ireland with reporting duties for the Irish Post newspaper. The reason for that is that all the managers I have encountered have been generous with their time, expansive and informative in their comments, and never left the press conference without speaking to everyone who

50

wanted a word with them. It’s been a pleasure to meet them all.

In the past, I’ve enjoyed talking to Liam Buckley several times when he was manager here, and I must give honourable mentions to the former Silgo Rovers manager Gerard Lyttle and the former Derry City manager Kenny Shiels who were interesting and detailed in their post-match analysis on games.

I have to give a particular shout out, though, to Bohemians manager Keith Long, whose post-match press conference I attended after what has turned out to be my last visit to Richmond Park to date, a couple of years ago now.

Keith was generous both with his time and his comments after what had been an entertaining 2-2 draw, and as it transpired, a few months after that game, Bohs were drawn to play away at Scottish League One side Airdrie in the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup a few months later in September 2019. I had already planned to be up in Scotland that weekend anyway for a family visit, so I sorted out a press pass for the game and filed reports both for the Irish Post and Extratime.ie.

Chatting to the small band of Scottish based journalists in the press box before kick off, I told

them that it would be worth their while speaking to the Bohs’ boss, as I knew he would be worth listening to, after having heard him in good form at Richmond Park.

Afterwards, we all gathered in the small press room under the main stand and the Airdrie manager came in first, and while he was pleasant enough, he gave what I would say were fairly standard type quotes after a close fought entertaining game which Airdrie had won 3-2. When he left, I once again suggested to the assembled group that it would be worth hanging on for the Bohs manager, and although there were some doubtful looks, they did and it’s fair to say they got their reward.

Keith was every bit as expansive as he had been when I had encountered him at Richmond Park, and in a session that lasted a good 15 minutes it’s fair to say he wowed his new Scottish audience. He spoke in depth about the game, the Scottish hospitality, the good experience for his players of playing in a fine all seater stadium against new opponents, explained how he had rotated his squad because of big games coming up, gave opinions on the future of more European League type tournaments, his support for the cross-channel tournament and a whole lot more besides.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

When everyone had run out of questions, Keith left the room and I said to the local journos “I told you he’d be worth waiting for”, and there was a collective nod of appreciation. One guy from a local paper puffed out his cheeks and replied that he now had a whole new feature to run the following week that he never expected to have a few minutes earlier, and the Airdrie media officer who had been overseeing the session reckoned it was a long time since he had heard such an interesting post-match conference from a manager who had covered so many different topics.

I have been fortunate over the years in that I have had plenty of good experiences interviewing football managers, most of them in my role as Media Officer for the North West Counties Football League, in the semi-professional non-league pyramid over here in England. It’s always the case, though, that the handful of bad experiences stick in your mind.

The one and only time I have ever received an out and out refusal for a post-match interview was curiously from probably the biggest footballing name ever to be involved in the North West Counties League while I was Media Officer. I won’t name him, but if you followed English football in the late 1970s and early 1980s, you will certainly have heard of this individual, who played at full international level for England and also won the European Cup with his club.

Once his playing career was over, he also coached and managed in the professional game, so it was a bit of a surprise to say the least

when he was announced as manager of a club in the North West Counties League, the ninth tier of English football. The explanation given was that he had teamed up with the club as he had links to agents who represented players who had been released by professional clubs. The idea was that these players would rebuild their careers at the club, albeit at a lower level than they were used to, before making their next career move.

As it happened the relationship between manager and club lasted only about three months, with the team in question making a poor start to the league campaign, and the manager soon departed, never to be heard of in the league again.

The announcement of his departure was mourned by few.

In my case, I had made a 60-mile round trip to one of the team’s early games, looking forward to interviewing him and finding out his thoughts about the league, and his hopes and aspirations, after having made the arrangement with the club secretary. On arriving there, I was told that unfortunately Mr X would not be able to grant me an audience as he would have to “shoot off straight after the game”.

That was bad enough, but when I saw him wandering around and chatting to people 20 minutes after full time, I realised I had been well and truly taken for a mug.

My already low opinion of him then hit rock bottom when I spoke to the opposing manager, who I knew quite well. He informed me that during the game there were some verbal exchanges between the two dug outs, during which our man

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

said to his opponents: “so how many international caps have you got then”? No further comment needed about the nature of the beast.

However, on a brighter note I had no problem with the various other former professionals I encountered at non-league level. The best known of them was Kevin Gallacher, the former Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers player, who now lives in Lancashire and I spoke to him while he was Director of Football at AFC Darwen, whose ground lies a few miles south of Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park. I had been looking forward to interviewing someone I had always liked as a player, and in particular as a fellow Scot, I fondly remember him featuring in Scotland’s last appearance in the World Cup finals in 1998. I wasn’t disappointed when I met him either, as Kevin is a thoroughly pleasant, cheerful, friendly and chatty guy who is well suited to working in the media as he now does for BBC local radio stations.

Thankfully, for the media representatives who are charged with filling websites and column inches with manager’s thoughts, the world of football has plenty of people like Keith Long and Kevin Gallacher who are willing to co-operate, and based on my past experiences of this league, I’m sure the new men at Derry, Waterford and Dundalk will be no different. And for that, journalists and fans alike should be truly grateful.

Any views expressed in this article are the contributor's own.

51

Player Apps & Goals 2021 League of Ireland

Total

Start

Sub

App

Goals

Start

Sub

App

Goals

Start

Sub

App

Goals

Vítězslav Jaroš

13

0

13

0

0

0

0

0

13

0

13

0

John Mountney

11

2

13

1

0

0

0

0

11

2

13

1

Ian Bermingham

9

2

11

1

0

0

0

0

9

2

11

1

Sam Bone

11

0

11

1

0

0

0

0

11

0

11

1

Lee Desmond

13

0

13

1

0

0

0

0

13

0

13

1

Jamie Lennon

11

1

12

0

0

0

0

0

11

1

12

0

Robbie Benson

6

2

8

2

0

0

0

0

6

2

8

2

Chris Forrester

13

0

13

3

0

0

0

0

13

0

13

3

0

4

4

1

0

0

0

0

0

4

4

1

Ronan Coughlan

11

1

12

3

0

0

0

0

11

1

12

3

Jason McClellend

2

4

6

0

0

0

0

0

2

4

6

0

11

1

12

2

0

0

0

0

11

1

12

2

6

3

9

0

0

0

0

0

6

3

9

0

Nahum Melvin-Lambert

Matty Smith Paddy Barrett Billy King

SSE Airtricity. Official Sponsor of the Premier Division.

FAI Cup

10

2

12

2

0

0

0

0

10

2

12

2

Alfie Lewis

5

4

9

0

0

0

0

0

5

4

9

0

Darragh Burns

3

3

6

2

0

0

0

0

3

3

6

2

Ben McCormack

1

7

8

0

0

0

0

0

1

7

8

0

Shane Griffin

5

2

7

0

0

0

0

0

5

2

7

0

Barry Murphy

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Josh Keeley

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Cian Kelly

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Kian Corbally

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Daniel Norris

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Jamie Whelan

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Own Goal

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

Pld

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Sligo Rovers

13

8

4

1

18

7

11

28

D

2

Shamrock Rovers

13

8

3

2

20

10

10

27

W W

D

L

L

3

St. Patrick's Athletic

13

7

4

2

20

12

8

25

D

L

L

W

D

4

Drogheda United

13

6

4

3

26

11

15

22

D

W W

W W

5

Finn Harps

13

5

3

5

11

16

-5

18

W

L

D

L

W

6

Bohemian FC

13

5

2

6

20

15

5

17

D

W W

L

W

7

Dundalk

13

3

5

5

16

19

-3

14

D

L

D

W

L

8

Derry City

13

3

5

5

12

17

-5

14

L

D

D

W

D

9

Longford Town

13

1

4

8

9

24

-15

7

D

D

L

L

L

13

2

0

11

6

27

-21

6

L

L

L

L

L

10 Waterford FC

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk

LAST 5 MATCHES W W W W

53 53

Results & Lineouts 2021

League

Venue Comp Score

FAI Cup

1st Sub

2nd Sub 3rd Sub

4th Sub

5th Sub 1 Goals Scored

P Penalty OG Own Goal For

Date

Opposition

Starting XI

Fri 19 Mar

Shamrock Rovers

Away

Series 1

1-1

Jaroš

Mountney

Griffin

Desmond

Barrett

Lennon

King

Benson

Coughlan

Forrester

Smith

McClelland

Bone

Bermingham

Sat 27 Mar

Drogheda Utd

Home Series 2

2-1

Jaroš

Mountney

Griffin

Desmond

Bone

Lennon

McClelland

Benson

Coughlan 1

Forrester

Smith

Bermingham

Burns

King

Sat 03 Apr

Bohemians

Away

Series 3

1-0

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham

Desmond

Bone

Lennon

Burns

Benson

Coughlan 1

Forrester

Smith

Barrett

McClelland

Fri 09 Apr

Derry City

Home Series 4

2-0

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham

Desmond

Bone

Lennon

King

Benson

Coughlan

Forrester

Smith

Burns

McClelland

Sat 17 Apr

Dundalk

Away

Series 5

1-1

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham

Desmond

Bone

Lennon

McClelland

Benson

Coughlan

Forrester

Smith

Barrett

Tue 20 Apr

Waterford

Home Series 6

1-0

Jaroš

Griffin

Bermingham

Desmond

Barrett

Lewis

McCormack

King

Coughlan

Forrester

Burns

Fri 23 Apr

Finn Harps

Away

Series 7

2-0

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham

Desmond

Bone

Barrett

Lennon

King

Coughlan

Forrester

Smith

Fri 30 Apr

Longford Town

Home Series 8

3-0

Jaroš

Griffin

Barrett

Desmond

Bone

Lennon

Burns

Lewis

King

Forrester

Mon 03 May

Sligo Rovers

Away

Series 9

1-1

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham 1

Desmond

Bone

Barrett

Lennon

King

Coughlan

Forrester

Sat 08 May

Shamrock Rovers

Home Series 10

1-2

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham

Desmond

Bone

Lennon

King

Lewis

Coughlan

Forrester

Fri 14 May

Drogheda Utd

Away

Series 11

1-3

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham

Desmond

Bone

Lennon

King

Lewis

Coughlan

Fri 21 May

Bohemians

Home Series 12

2-1

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham

Desmond

Bone

Lennon

King

Lewis

Mon 24 May

Derry City

Away

Series 13

2-2

Jaroš

Mountney

Griffin

Desmond

Bone

Barrett

King

Lewis

Fri 28 May

Dundalk

Home Series 14

0-1

Sat 12 June

Longford Town

Away

Series 15

0-1

Fri 18 June

Sligo Rovers

Home Series 16

0-1

Mon 21 June Finn Harps

Home Series 17

0-1

Fri 25 June

Waterford

Away

Series 18

0-1

Fri 02 July

Bohemians

Away

Series 19

0-1

Fri 09 July

Derry City

Home Series 20

0-1

Fri 16 July

Drogheda Utd

Home Series 21

0-1

Fri 30 July

Shamrock Rovers

Away

Series 22

0-1

Fri 06 Aug

Dundalk

Away

Series 23

0-1

Fri 13 Aug

Waterford

Home Series 24

0-1

Fri 20 Aug

Finn Harps

Away

Series 25

0-1

Fri 03 Sept

Longford Town

Home Series 26

0-1

Sat 11 Sept

Sligo Rovers

Away

Series 27

0-1

Fri 24 Sept

Shamrock Rovers

Home Series 28

0-1

Fri 01 Oct

Drogheda Utd

Away

Series 29

0-1

Fri 08 Oct

Bohemians

Home Series 30

0-1

Fri 15 Oct

Derry City

Away

Series 31

0-1

Mon 25 Oct

Dundalk

Home Series 32

0-1

Sat 30 Oct

Longford Town

Away

Series 33

0-1

Fri 05 Nov

Sligo Rovers

Home Series 34

0-1

Fri 12 Nov

Finn Harps

Home Series 35

0-1

Fri 19 Nov

Waterford

Away

Series 36

0-1

Yellow Card

Red Card

Substitutes

1

1

1

Burns

Kelly

McCormack

Melvin-Lambert

Murphy

Keeley

Corbally

Lewis

McCormack

Melvin-Lambert

Murphy

Keeley

King

Corbally

Lewis

McCormack

Melvin-Lambert

Murphy

Keeley

Lewis

Melvin-Lambert

Barrett

McCormack

Corbally

Murphy

Keeley

King

Lewis

Corbally

Burns

McCormack

Melvin-Lambert

Murphy

Keeley

1 Benson

Mountney

Smith

Lennon

Bone

Corbally

Melvin-Lambert

Murphy

Keeley

1 Lewis

Griffin

McCormack

Corbally

Burns

Norris

Melvin-Lambert

Keeley

1

1

Smith

Coughlan 1

Mountney

Bermingham

McCormack

Corbally

Norris

Melvin-Lambert

Murphy

Smith

Burns

Lewis

McCormack

Corbally

Griffin

Norris

Melvin-Lambert

Murphy

Smith

Griffin

McClelland

McCormack

Melvin-Lambert

Norris

Corbally

Murphy

Keeley

Forrester

Smith

McCormack

Barrett

Benson

Griffin

Corbally

Norris

Murphy

Keeley

Coughlan

Forrester

Smith

Barrett

Melvin-Lambert

Griffin

Norris

Corbally

Murphy

Keeley

Coughlan

Forrester

Benson

McCormack

Norris

Corbally

Murphy

Keeley

2

1

1 Benson

Melvin-Lambert 1

1 McCormack

Bermingham Melvin-Lambert

Billy King’s 84th minute header secures an away point against Derry City.

Extra.ie FAI Cup Dates

EA Sports Cup

1st Round - Week Ending 25th July

The 2021 edition of the EA Sports Cup has been cancelled

2nd Round - Week Ending 29th August

1

1

* Own Goal

Quarter Finals - Week Ending 19th September Semi-Finals - Week Ending 24th October Final - Week Ending November 28th

54

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.07 • St Patrick’s Athletic v DUNDALK

55

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