The Saint (Vol 33 #8)

2021 Season • Premier Division • Vol. 33 • No. 08 Fri 18 June • Mon 21 June •Richmond Park, Inchicore, D8

FRI 18 JUNE • 7.45PM

MON 21 JUNE • 7.45PM

Ronan Coughlan

Editorial

Ronan O’Flaherty

Ruairi Kavanagh

@stpatsprogramme

Welcome to Richmond Park!

For those few of you fortunate enough to be here tonight, welcome back. For those who are still watching from home, we are hoping to see you soon. It's a sign of definitive change to have even 100 more fans in here tonight, and it hopefully won't be long before there will be many, many more. The pilot matches in football, GAA and rugby seemed to have run smoothly, so hopefully, they can continue and grow in terms of ambition as we seek to reunite the two most important elements of our sport, the team and the fans.

To mark the occasion we have a massive 64-page edition of the Saint tonight. I have to say, it will be great to hold a physical copy again at some stage, and while we will continue to do digital editions for all future games, I hope there will always be a print version too. The demand is definitely there and I know collectors have really missed being able to add the issues from this and last season to their collections. It was not sustainable in any shape or form to print them. However, if enough collectors really want to get some of our more recent editions printed, we could look at a premium print model if

there was enough interest, although the cost will obviously be a good bit higher than our normal retail price. Please drop me an email if you're interested in this at stpatsprogramme@gmail.com.

Tonight is the pilot of our new streaming service, which I know so much work has gone into. I'm sure it will be great-the footage so far has me very optimistic!

Loads to read in these pages tonight, third part of Brian Kerr's fascinating musical journey through his life and career, an interview with Ian Gilzean, club history, Eurozone, stats, interviews, opinion and much more. Settle down and enjoy. Oh yeah, let's remember that if results go our way tonight we could be second, or even joint top of the table, come on the Saints!!

See you soon, Ruairi Kavanagh Editor The Saint

Contents 18

Once a Saint...

48

Dermot Gallagher

22

Supersaint

50

Club History

34

Culture Corner

52

Pats from the Past

44

Eurozone

56

A View from Afar

Programme Production Editor Ruairi Kavanagh

Design Joe O’Rourke

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

Photo Sportsfile & Inpho 3

Squads Fáilte Tá áthas orainn fáilte a chur roimh mbainistíocht, imreoirí agus lucht tacaíochta Chlub Pheile Ruagairí Shligigh go Phairc Richmond, an tráthnóna seo.

St Patrick’s Athletic

Sligo Rovers

Manager:

Manager:

Alan Mathews

Head Coach: Stephen O’Donnell 1 Vítězslav Jaroš

We are pleased to welcome the management, players and supporters of Sligo Rovers Football Club to Richmond Park this afternoon.

GK o

2 John Mountney

D

o

3 Ian Bermingham

D

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4 Sam Bone

D

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5 Lee Desmond

D

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6 Jamie Lennon

M

o

7 Robbie Benson

M

o

8 Chris Forrester

M

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9 Nahum Melvin-Lambert F 10 Ronan Coughlan 11 Jay McClellend

Welcome

President’s Welcome

F F

o

F

o

15 Billy King

F

o

16 Alfie Lewis

M

o

17 Darragh Burns

F

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18 Ben McCormack

M

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20 Shane Griffin

D

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21 Barry Murphy

GK o

25 Josh Keeley

GK o

27 Daniel Norris

M

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28 Cian Kelly

D

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29 Paddy Barrett

D

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31 Kian Corbally

M

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stpatsfc

/stpatsfctv

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12 Matty Smith

/stpatsfc

/stpatsfc

o

Match Officials

Tom O’Mahony

Edward McGinty Lewis Banks Colm Horgan Danny Kane Robbie McCourt Greg Bolger Jordan Gibson Niall Morahan Ryan De Vries Walter Figueira Mark Byrne Shane Blaney John Russell Regan Donelon Darren Collins John Mahon David Cawle Scott Lynch Johnny Kenny Cillian Heaney Garry Buckley Romeo Parkes Jason Devaney Kailin Barlow Richard Brush Conor Walsh Peter Maguire Bryan Lynch Shaun McAteer Oran Groarke Aidan McHale James Robinson

GK D D D D M M M F F M D M D M D M D F F D F D M GK GK D D M M M GK

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Assistant 1

Assistant 2

4th Official

info@stpatsfc.com stpatsfc.com

4

I'm delighted to welcome you to

Yellow cards were demanded loudly

Richmond Park, whether in person or

every time a Pats player looked

virtually, for this weekend's double

sideways at his opponent, but I didn't

helping of football featuring our friends

care (and fortunately neither did the

and rivals from the North-West. Both

referee). Football without passionate

Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps are having

supporters has been a pale shadow of

an excellent season so far, and we're

the real thing.

not doing too badly ourselves, so there is a lot at stake in both games.

Half-Time

Full-Time

MOTM

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

Our attendance for these two games is drawn entirely from those who bought

We had a rocky period before the

season tickets for this year, and I think

break but the superb points total

there's general acceptance that was the

accumulated in our first round of

fairest approach. Between the two

games kept us within striking distance

games it has been possible to offer

of the leaders. Last weekend saw us

each season-ticket holder the chance to

return to our early season form while a

attend one.

set of favourable results elsewhere saw

season-ticket holders make each year is

our deficit reduced from 6 to 3 points.

hugely important to the club's finances.

We wrap up the second round over the

We deeply appreciated their

next 8 days and a good haul of points

understanding that, with most of our

from these two games and the trip to

income streams cut off, we could not

Waterford would leave us very well

refund the 2020 tickets; and were

placed to maintain a title challenge.

overwhelmed by the number who were

Of course, the most important aspect of this weekend is that, after 15 difficult months, we can again welcome supporters back to Richmond Park. It may only be 200 per game, but it's a step in the right direction and we hope and believe that it won't be too long before we can fill the ground again. In

Referee

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB

Good Evening

Liam Buckley

Head Coach: John Russell 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 14 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 38

@jimmyedwards41

The commitment that

prepared to buy 2021 tickets given the uncertainty as to whether they'd ever get to use them. You have helped us get through an unprecedented challenge and in return we hope to make the rest of the season as memorable as possible for you.

Enjoy the games!

Longford last weekend it was a real pleasure to watch a game to the

Tom O'Mahony

soundtrack of real crowd noise,

President

however one-sided it may have been.

St Patrick's Athletic FC

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

125 Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8, D08 E0Y7, Ireland Tel: +353 1 454 6332 +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 LOI SHIELD 1959/60 FAI SUPER CUP 1999 DUBLIN CITY CUP 1953/54, 1955/56, 1975/76 LFA PRESIDENT'S CUP 1952/53, 1953/54, 1955/56, 1971/72, 1990/91, 1996/97 FAI INTERMEDIATE CUP 1947/48, 1948/49, 1952/53 (Reserves) FAI JUNIOR CUP 1940/41 FAI YOUTH CUP 1944/45

5

The Dugout

Ronan O’Flaherty

Alan Mathews & Stephen O’Donnell

We would like to welcome Liam Buckley, his players and everybody connected with Sligo Rovers to Richmond Park.

Sligo have had an excellent season to date and will be difficult opponents to get a positive result against.

There is very little between the sides, a view backed up by the close proximity of the clubs to each other in the table. The 1-1 draw at the Showgrounds in early May was an absorbing fixture and another illustration of how well matched the teams are.

As this programme is a double edition, we would also like to welcome Ollie Horgan, his squad of players and everyone who has made the journey from Ballybofey to be here at Richmond Park this evening. Our last meeting with Harps, at Finn Park on April 23, was a positive outing from a St Pat's perspective as we won the game 2-0. It was a hardfought win against a very good Harps team enjoying a strong season.

The matches had been coming thick and fast, so the recent break from competitive action was a welcome one. The players were given the opportunity to recharge the batteries and let their bodies heal a little. We then returned to training and had a solid week together ahead of last Saturday's trip to Bishopsgate.

OUR GAME IS ON THE BALL

It was clear from the performance that the break did the players good. We were delighted with the display and result against Longford Town. The team went in at half-time 1-0 up, courtesy of Robbie Benson's excellent header. On another day, the team would have led by more than a single goal at the break. The concession of a penalty early in the second half, and the equaliser it led to, was disappointing.

UMBRO TEAMWEAR

The players didn't allow their heads to drop and there was no sense of panic thereafter. That is a big positive in itself. Matty Smith and Ronan Coughlan

added the second and third, which were good team goals with some neat and impressive build-up play.

The win against Longford was just what we needed after losing against Dundalk before the break. The players were, of course, disappointed with the nature of that defeat, but it strengthened their resolve to bounce back. This is a very good group of players. They are eager to learn and be successful every day. The work-rate on display from everyone in training has been top class and that helps strengthen belief going into games.

These fixtures against Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps also herald the return of supporters to Richmond Park, which everyone involved with St Patrick’s Athletic is very excited about. It has been a long 15 months without fans and while the capacity is currently limited to a mere couple of hundred, that will feel like a few thousand people after so long without crowds at games.

The next step we look forward to is welcoming many more supporters into the ground. This, of course, is dependent on public health advice as well as Government directives. But the sight of 200 supporters pushing through the turnstiles is a very welcome start.

With the country gradually reopening, a sense of optimism can be felt in the air. We have very much appreciated all of your support from a remote setting over the past year-plus and we can't wait to welcome you all back.

Enjoy the games, 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.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

7

Oh My Word!

Ronan O’Flaherty

Ronan O’Flaherty

@ronanoflaherty

1998 was a special year for St Patrick’s Athletic, not just because the first team was crowned Premier Division champions.

Back then, the club’s under-21 side was managed by an unassuming 26-year-old Dubliner. He disarmed people with his amiable demeanour and impressed them with his team’s performances on the pitch. That under-21 outfit was crowned champions and Kenny’s stock began to rise.

Longford Town, perennial strugglers at the wrong end of the First Division, had little to lose by appointing a rookie manager. They could scarcely have imagined how much they stood to gain.

In the 23 years since he was appointed manager at Strokestown Road, Kenny's career trajectory has consistently moved upward. There were bumps in the road, which is natural. During those times, the trajectory briefly levelled off, only to rise again upon the resumption of his career. So impressive was the job he performed at Oriel Park that he was appointed Ireland manager, via a stint in charge of the under-21s.

If Ireland's recent results against Andorra and Hungary have taught us anything, it is that the process is worth persevering with. The early stages of Kenny's reign have been difficult, but implementing an entire shift in culture was never going to be easy.

In his first 11 games in charge, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. So disappointing were the results that some people started calling for his sacking.

Fifteen days ago, Ireland travelled to Andorra in a game billed as a definite first victory for the manager. The problem with definite victories is that when they don’t materialise, people become irrational and call for immediate accountability. Marc Vales’ 52nd-minute goal not only gave Andorra a shock lead, it placed Kenny under enormous pressure.

the likes of New Caledonia, Eswatini, Botswana, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Defeat may have spelled the end for the manager's time in charge. Thankfully, it didn’t come to that.

Five days after the 4-1 victory over Andorra, Ireland secured a spirited draw against Euro 2020 qualifiers Hungary. Of greater importance was the togetherness between management and players. This has been a problem in some previous Ireland setups and its impact on players can be damaging.

To many of his detractors, it’s not even about the results. They didn’t want Stephen Kenny to get the job in the first place. Now that he is in situ, they want him gone. Their reason? He is a “League of Ireland” manager. It is a snapshot of the crippling inferiority complex that is commonplace on these shores.

I would sooner listen to opinions of the manager from those who know what they are talking about.

Like, for example, an Ireland player. Better still, one of the senior players.

Harry Arter has played in the English Premier League for Bournemouth and Cardiff City. He has made 381 appearances in his club career, the majority of which came in England’s top two tiers. In his international career, he has played under Martin O’Neill and Mick McCarthy. Two men with impressive CVs. One might assume that Arter would struggle to identify with the current incumbent, who arrived in the Ireland job via the footballing backwater of, well, Ireland.

“The culture has changed dramatically around this Ireland team and I’m loving every second of it,” said Arter in an interview with Kevin Palmer of the Irish Independent. “In the past, the ethos of the squad was built around team spirit – the lads having a few drinks when we meet up in a bid to build a togetherness.

Andorra is 158th in FIFA’s world rankings, behind

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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

“It was a philosophy the management encouraged, and tactics and planning for matches probably wasn’t at the top of the agenda, but that approach will only take you so far.

“What we have here now is a Premier League-style camp. This is a professional setup with a plan and a focus, and this is what you need to succeed. The professionalism of Stephen is quite intense, but that is what you need to succeed. The amount of work we get through every day is fantastic and I have to say, the training sessions we have done in the last week have been top class.

“Stephen’s passion to win is incredible and the way he wants to do it is creative. I like the way he wants to try and get us playing an attractive brand of football.

"We need to have an identity as a team if we are going to compete at the highest level and Stephen understands that. He is trying to change the way we go about things in our preparation and when we get into matches. This is a new era of players; what went before in the Ireland setup didn’t really fit for them.”

If these are the views of a senior member of the squad who is not shy about speaking his mind, rest assured they are shared by the majority of the squad.

Matt Doherty is another player familiar with Premier League standards. Following 10 seasons at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the last two of which were spent as a near-ever-present in the Premier League, he moved to Tottenham last summer in a deal worth £16million. He has worked under Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho. Coaches of world renown. Like Arter, he also played under O’Neill and McCarthy. His words carry plenty of weight.

Doherty, who played the full 90 in Andorra la Vella and Budapest, posted an image of himself on Instagram after the double header. It shows him in possession of the ball and plotting a pass, while Hungary full-back Attila Fiola closes in.

His comment read: “End of a top 10 days with the lads.” A brief message, but an upbeat one.

Through his actions on and off the pitch, it is clear that he shares a similar outlook to Arter.

Squad harmony is one thing, but it’s the results that matter. So we are constantly told, to the extent that it seems like nothing else matters. But plenty else matters.

In interviews, Kenny does himself something of a disservice by being too modest. Most people in a similar position bemoan the absence of key players, but the current Ireland boss takes the road

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

less travelled. He never sees the merits of getting his excuses in.

Instead of focusing on the players not presently at his disposal, he talks about those who are. Always constructive. Never unnecessarily negative.

Because he spends so much time praising his players, it might be lost on some that he is choosing from a modest pool. The days of Ireland squads being largely made up of English Premier League players are in the past.

Expectations have yet to be adjusted appropriately.

Transforming a nation’s football identity is a huge task. The changes are incremental. Young players need to be blooded. They will, inevitably, make mistakes. But without mistakes, there is no learning. When they learn, the team gets better.

Change is happening already. It is clear in the body language of the players and coaching staff when they are in each other's presence.

The evolution of Irish football is playing out before our eyes. That is what Stephen Kenny brings to the table.

It’s enough for me.

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

9

Dodge’s Data!

Ronan O’Flaherty

John Owens

@seidodge

League Record v Sligo Rovers HOME GAMES

Last 10 games v Sligo Rovers

AWAY GAMES

TOTAL GAMES

14

39

25 27 43

Date

Venue

Competition

03 May 2021

Showgrounds

League

1-1

12 Sep 2020

Richmond Park

League

0-0

21 Feb 2020

Showgrounds

League

2-0

Richmond Park

League

2-1

WIN

DRAW

LOSE

I Bermingham

73

76

70

149

16 40 24 GOALS

145

GOALS

76

104

R Hale, C Forrester

GOALS

111

249

187

Record League Scores v Sligo Rovers 12/02/61 Richmond Park

7-1

16/11/61 Richmond Park

1-4

21/04/07 Showgrounds

4-0

16 Aug 2019

G McAuley, D Webster 05/11/67 Showgrounds

1-7

08 June 2019 Showgrounds

1-1

League

K Toner

19 Apr 2019

ON THIS WEEK - 18 TO 21 JUNE 2004

Richmond Park

LOI

Shamrock Rovers

19 June

2009

United Park

LOI

Drogheda United

0-1

M Drennan

19 June

2015

Richmond Park

LOI

Longford Town

3-1

15 Sep 2018

22 Feb 2019

C Forrester 2, J Chambers

Richmond Park

LOI

Bray Wanderers

2011

Terryland Park

LOI

League

1-0

Showgrounds

League

2-1

J Keegan, B Clarke (pen) 1-1

M Quigley

21 June

Showgrounds

2-1

K Fahey, T Bird

2008

2-1

C Forrester, M Drennan (pen)

18 June

20 June

League

Richmond Park

Galway United

15 Jun 2018

Richmond Park

League

15 May 2018

Richmond Park

League

0-3

2-0

D North, E McMillan

21 June

2005

Dalymount Park

Lge Cup 2nd Rd

Bohemians

3-1

K Dunne, B Prenderville, A O’Keefe

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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

2-0

D Clarke, T Byrne (pen) 2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

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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

HOME SPONSOR

HOME SPONSOR

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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

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC SUPPORTERS GROUP

WILL MORGAN

TOMMY KEYES

THE CLOCK

JOHN HUDSON

FYNCH

AWAY SPONSOR

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AWAY SPONSOR

THE LADS OFF THE CAMAC

CIAN MENTON

KILLIAN DONNELLY

MUSCAT SAINTS

BRIAN BRAMHALL

PATRICK COSTELLO TD

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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

13

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

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AWAY SPONSOR

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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

14

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

AWAY SPONSOR

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AWAY SPONSOR

JOAN STAPLETON

CAMAC SAINTS 2.0

SCOTT KELLY

PROLINK STAFFING

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

15

Irish Independent Wednesday 22 June 2011

JUNE

GALWAY UNITED 0 220111 ST PATRICK'S ATH 2 Unlucky 13 as Galway fall to clinical Pat’s THIRTEEN was the magic number at Terryland Park as St Patrick's Athletic stretched their unbeaten league run, while Galway United's harrowing sequence of defeats now stretches to that staggering figure.

Only seven minutes had elapsed when Galway's defence switched off, allowing the pacy Danny North to burst clear.

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

left flank for Galway, who were reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute when Steve Feeney was given a harsh second yellow card following a foul on Paul Crowley.

Unsurprisingly the fizz went out of Galway and Pat's added a second on 72 minutes as Stephen Bradley's corner found McMillan, who thundered a header into the net.

Galway ’keeper Greg Fleming did make a splendid save, but North reacted promptly to guide the rebound over the line.

GALWAY UNITED: Fleming; Eduardo, Preston Kelly, Sinnott, G Kelly; Moore, Ryan (Gavin 72), Curran, Gilmore; Feeney, Caldwell.

The remainder of the first half followed a similar pattern to most of Galway's recent encounters: the opposition dominated as Evan McMillan, Anto Murphy, and Derek Doyle all went close.

ST PAT'S: Rogers; Harney (Daly 72), E McMillan, Shortall, Carroll; Murphy, McFaul (Crowley 66), Bradley, Doyle; Kavanagh, North (D McMillan 78).

Karl Moore, being monitored by Motherwell, offered a drop of skill on the

REF: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

17

Once A Saint... Ian Gilzean Damien Byrne

@DamienByrne92

1998 & 1999 brought back to back league titles for St Pat’s, something that had only been achieved in Ireland by two other teams in the previous 30 years.

Central to that success for St Pat’s was Scottish striker Ian Gilzean. Gilzean had previous spells with both Sligo and Drogheda, after a possible move to Hong Kong, but jumped on a move to the Saint’s when the opportunity came about.

“After 2 years there I ended up on a free transfer at Sligo as they were concerned about my previous injuries. I signed for Drogheda for a month and when that deal ended Pat Dolan offered me the chance of a deal with Pats.”

A league winning squad had begun to be assembled by Dolan and that wasn’t lost on Gilzean.

“The squad at the time was amazing we had the three young Irish wonders in Hawks, Thomas Morgan and Trevor Molloy and the older guard with Ozo and Eddie, who I knew from his spell with Spurs. Throw in players like Packie Lynch Trevor Croly, Willie Burke, Martin Reilly, Keith Doyle and Keith Long it turned out to be the best move ever.”

The first league title for that team will be a memory any Pat’s fan who experienced it will never forget.

Eddie Gormley got the winner in Buckley Park in Kilkenny, whilst the biggest rivals at that time Shelbourne were beaten away to Dundalk. Gilzean played that night and remembers it fondly.

“Winning the league on the last day of the season was amazing. To take it to the last game, winning our game and then the cheers from the fans when Shels were getting beat we knew then we had one hand on the trophy. Tt was then about seeing

18

the game out, the celebrations continued all weekend.”

That team would indeed go on to achieve the honour of back to back titles.

They would also create some famous memories as an away tie, which Gilzean remembers we could have nicked, left us with a very respectable result.

“The Celtic game in the first leg was unreal. They created chance after chance but Trevor Wood had one of them games and if I remember right, we could have nicked it at the end as Martin Reilly broke clear. Anyone seeing us after the game would have thought we had just won the cup we had a great time in the players’ lounge and on the flight home.”

Although the second season of Gilzean’s time at Pats brought that Champions

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

20 August 1999 - Ian Gilzean celebrates a goal versus UCD at Belfield Park

League tie and another league title, there was a tinge of disappointment that more silverware didn’t follow.

“Sadly, the second leg didn’t go our way as Celtic scored early and kept us at arm’s length. Winning the second title was a great feat as no team had gone back to back for quite a while. Losing the semi-final of the cup to Shelbourne was a hard result to take as we were minutes away from winning. We conceded a late goal and lost on penalties.”

Shortly after the second league title success Ian would move north to Glentoran before another spell in League of Ireland. There are many great memories that Gilzean has of his time in Dublin 8, not least the fans and people he met along the way.

“The fans were great with me during my time at the club. Friday night under the lights was always a great atmosphere and Noel O’Reilly was a top-

drawer coach. Gerry and Phyllis Brennan were great supporters and Martin Duncan has been a great friend to me over the years.”

Post-retirement due to an injury in 2003, Ian has tried his hand at coaching with a spell as Montrose assistant manager before coaching Dundee FC under-15 team and his local side, Carnoustie Panmure for 4 years.

Reflecting on his time with St Pat’s as a whole, a successful period for both club and player was made possible by the support of the fans and the strength of both league winning squads.

“Playing was always the best part and when you’re winning it don’t half make it easier, I was very lucky to get two great years at St Pats. Over the two championship winning teams any of the players could have played in either of the teams we had a great squad, Trevor Molloy was a joy to partner up front.”

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

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Pats 0 Dundalk 2

Richmond Park • 28 May 2021 • Premier Division Ronan O’Flaherty

Starting XI 1 Jaroš 2 Mountney 3 Bermingham 4 Bone 5 Desmond 6 Lennon 7 Benson 8 Forrester 12 Smith 15 King 29 Barrett Subs 10 Coughlan 16 Lewis 9 Melvin-Lambert 18 McCormack

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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

73 81

56

55

55

56 73 81

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Super Saints Brian Kerr

Ronan O’Flaherty

Johnny Keegan

@johnnykeegan

A life through music...Part III May 1st, 1998, Buckley Park. Colin Hawkins has equalised after Michael Reddy opened the scoring in Kilkenny. Dundalk are beating Shelbourne. They’ve blown it, but we still need a goal. Brian Kerr is in Dunblane, Scotland, with the Irish U16 team, a fancy radio glued to his ear. His right-hand-man, Noel O’Reilly, is double-

be playing against the next day, their staff would be sitting around with us. Extraordinary scenes!”

THE SINGING NUN “I remember we were playing Germany in the European Finals

jobbing with Pat’s and the FAI, and has flown back to be with Pat Dolan and the

in Sweden in 1999, and Horst Hrubesch and Uli Stielike, who

team in Kilkenny.

played for West Germany in the 80s, fantastic players, and they’re mooching around behind Noel with smiles on their

“We played Scotland, Denmark and Portugal in the

over the years, particularly at international

group, and there was a little break, so Noel went

tournaments.

faces listening to Noel playing anything from Christy Moore and Christie Hennessy to Elvis and The Beatles, Lonnie Donegan, U2, you name it.”

back. I bought a fancy radio because I was travelling so much at that time, so I could hear a bit of news

“Noel used to sing a myriad of Bob Dylan songs, but

while I was away. So, we’re listening to the match on

particularly at tournaments he would always sing

the radio in Dunblane, and the room is full of fellas

‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ with all the lads joining

with an interest in the league: Andy Reid, John

in. It was always so appropriate and magical

O’Shea, Jim Goodwin, Graham Barrett, Keith Foy. At

because we always felt we were in a great place, and

one stage I’m hanging out the window, aerial

that we were in with a shout of winning medals.”

stretched, trying to listen to Gabriel Egan, I think it was, in Kilkenny, and all the lads are in the room,”

“The work was busy, the work was hard,” Brian admits. “Trying to always be positive, keeping everybody in good form, it’s not always easy to do

Brian laughs.

that, you’ve always got to be the one out there fixing Up steps Eddie Gormley. Pandemonium, in both

things and making sure that everyone is ok. We’d

Kilkenny and the hotel room in Dunblane.

have matches and training, matches and training.

We’d get the players to bed at half ten, and then

It would turn out to be quite a few weeks for Brian

we’d go and have a drink and relax with the staff.”

Italy in the final to make history and win the

“Pauric Carney, a great Pat’s fan, he was the kitman,

European Championship.

he’d say “Noel, get the guitar.” “Ah, no, no,” Noel would say. Pauric would get the master key and go to Noel’s room and get the guitar and leave it beside Noel. This could be Tel Aviv, St. Petersburg,

If Brian and Noel were together, music was never too far away. And it played an integral role in

22

Chisinau, Ayia Napa, Reykjavik, and the guitar would be out. There’d be loads of people around and

creating a positive atmosphere in all of Kerr’s squads

going to sing a song for each team in the tournament from their own country.” One night he sang a song from Belgium by The Singing Nun called ‘Dominique’ or something like that,” Brian laughs. “But we all knew the tune of it ourselves, it was one of those mad songs that got into the charts in the 60s or 70s. But Noel could do that, he could come up with anything, and the blokes sitting around would all be loving it. I remember him teaching Andy Reid how to play ‘Ride On’ by Christy Moore on the guitar in Dunblane with all the other players sitting around.

They were great times.”

Kerr and Noel O’Reilly, as their U16 side overcame

KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR

“Some nights Noel used to challenge himself. There might be eight teams in the tournament and he’d say “Right, we’re

they’d all slowly start to mooch over. The teams we’d

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

On the back of numerous historic successes with the FAI underage sides, Kerr was appointed manager of the senior international men’s team in January 2003.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

23

Super Saints Brian Kerr

Ronan O’Flaherty

Johnny Keegan

@johnnykeegan

MAMMA MIA

nice and easy so we’d avoid the crowd and get back

and all that. Christy and the

to the hotel early enough. But the encore started

lads have a great relationship

“One of the frustrations I used to have from going to

and I couldn’t get the lads out, they’re all up on their

with Derek; it’s not just

“I didn’t mention U2 at all,”

the Ireland matches over the years was the music

feet giving it loads to ‘Waterloo’ and ‘Money,

football people that love him,

Kerr interrupts, as we reach the

they’d play before the match in the stadium. So, I

Money, Money’, and there’s no shifting them. We

all the bands love him too.”

end of the interview.

got stuck into that and insisted on certain songs

were supposed to go out a side door by the stage,

being played: a couple of U2 songs, Rory Gallagher,

but no. It was great.”

If you didn’t know Kerr, you’d

“When I was manager of

probably think that he’s

Ireland, I sat beside Larry

keeping big Derek sweet for the

Mullen one day on the plane,

Aslan, Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, and

U2

that’s still being played these days.”

MADE IN DUBLIN

odd freebie, but with Kerr these

and I was afraid to say howiya

Previous managers used to bring the Ireland squad

“Another night I got Aslan to play in the hotel for the

relationships hold a special

to him. And he never said

to the pictures to help them relax before games.

team. I asked them to come in and do an acoustic

place. Throughout the course of

Brian, of course, wanted to take a different

set, a few songs after we had the dinner one night. A

the interview Brian must’ve

approach.

big van arrives in the afternoon with the whole lot,

mentioned a hundred names, mostly followed by “I

time at one of their gigs later on. U2 have been

all the gear, lights, stage, everything. So, there’s 24

was up with him the other day” or “I was only

heroes of mine, in terms of what they’ve done for

“I used to bring them to the Olympia to see the likes

of us sitting there. “Entertain us!” A lot of these lads

talking to him last week on the phone”. People love

Irish music and helping to put the country on the

of Brendan O’Carroll and stuff like that, more cultural

would’ve been in England since a young age, the

talking to Kerr, he’s infectious, but he gets just as

map in the 90s. I got to see them in the

things. Now, the likes of Gary Breen, Kevin Kilbane

likes of Robbie and Duffer, so they wouldn’t have

much of a buzz talking to people as we do talking

Netherlands a few years after that. One of my

and Clinton Morrison would’ve been like “Who the

known who Aslan were. It was brilliant.”

and listening to him.

favourite matches as manager of Ireland was when

“Billy McGuinness said to me when I met him a

PAUL BRADY

fuck is this fella?” They wouldn’t have known him at all at that time.”

anything to me. And I regretted it. But I got to meet them one

we beat the Netherlands 1-0 away from home, while later that he’d never seen Christy Dignam as

before the Euros in 2004, this was their going-away match, and we beat them 1-0, Robbie got a brilliant

“Another time I brought them to Mamma Mia. Of

nervous as this before, he said Christy was in bits at

“I’ve always loved Paul Brady. One of the first gigs I

goal on the counter attack. I enjoyed that day. I

course, they were all like “What the fuck is this,

the idea of playing for the team. Christy came out

remember seeing was Paul Brady in the Junior

always liked to measure my teams against the best

ABBA…?” But once they got into the show that all

and goes “Howiya lads, this is like playing in me

Common Room in Trinity, around 1968 or 1969. He

opposition, I always wanted to be able to beat the

changed,” Brian laughs. “At the half-time break they

Ma’s parlour.” It was incredible.”

was in a band called The Johnston’s, who I’d seen

best teams and show people that we could do it. I

before that; RTE used to have these live radio

got to see U2 in the same stadium a few years after

asked us would we go backstage to meet the cast?

And the actors are all bowing to the lads. Fair

“They were such a powerful

programmes in the O’Connell Hall just passed the

that, and it was like an away match again for an

enough, we had a good team,

band, with brilliant, brilliant

old Carlton Cinema, and you could apply for tickets.

Irish team. Seeing an Irish band in a full stadium in

but The Point was full to see

songs. It’s a pity that they didn’t

So, I applied and got tickets. The Johnston’s were a

a different country, absolutely blowing the crowd

them, not us. The show was

get the level of success that

folk band from the North of Ireland and Paul Brady

away… It was a great experience for me.”

brilliant, and they’re all asking

they probably deserved. I

was one of them. I was always a lover of Paul Brady,

the players to sign t-shirts for

would’ve went up to The Silver

he epitomised Irish success, and had a great

them, and I’m thinking to

Granite in Palmerstown to see

understanding of the North-South divide and other

myself “No, this is wrong.”

them on a regular basis, and

big issues like emigration. The Hard Station album, I

I’ve seen them in Vicar Street

love it, and that’s why I’d put Paul Brady right up

“The arrangement was for us to

of course, big Derek

there. And he’s still going, still doing it, and I’ve

leave once the encore started,

McGuinness carrying Christy

been lucky to meet him a few times over the years

bizarre festival encounter involving Brian,

get the bus out of the car park

through the crowd singing

at various things. He loves football too.”

Johnny McDonnell and Westlife.

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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

The fourth and final part of Brian Kerr – A Life Through Music brings us to the stunning, evocative scenery of the Faroe Islands and a

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

25

Pensive PointsRonan O’Flaherty Jimmy Edwards

@jimmyedwards41

Good Evening All, As this is a bumper double issue I'd like to

The game finished 1-3 but in truth it could have

welcome both Liam Buckley, Ollie Horgan and all

been a lot more as we had numerous shots on

from Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps respectively. I'd

goal and what seemed like double figures in

also like to say welcome back to supporters. It

corners, and Paddy Barrett got his head to 5 or 6

goes without saying that the game just isn't the

and was unlucky not to score from a couple of

same without fans in the stadiums so hopefully

them.

this is the start of getting everyone back into the grounds. Our last home game was just before the break against Dundalk and while the result was disappointing the performance wasn't. Yes we could have created maybe better chances in the final third but Dundalk sat in very deep and didn't really give us the space to get in behind

Sligo have been very impressive anytime I have seen them this season and have been a joy to watch but that's no real surprise because Liam Buckley demands that his teams play attractive football and they thoroughly deserve to be joint top of the table at this point of the season.

them and they scored two goals on the break

Finn Harps were some journalists pick to be

against the run of play. I felt we dominated the

fighting relegation this season but they have

game with our passing and possession and on

made them eat their words as Ollie Horgan has

another day we would have come away with the

them highly motivated and well drilled and they

3 points.

have been consistently good and very hard to

Our next game after the break was away to Longford Town last Saturday and the

beat so i have no doubt both these games are going to be very tough.

performance was excellent yet again. We took

I'd like give a warm welcome back to former

the lead with a Robbie Benson header and

Saints Dave Webster, Shane McEleney, Jordan

Longford equalised from the penalty spot. We

Gibson, Greg Bolger and John Russell.

then regained the lead when Mattie Smith

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

blasted home from the edge of the six yard box after the keeper could only parry a brilliant pile driver from Chris Forrester and then Ronan

Here's hoping for two Pats wins.

Up the Saints, Jimmy Edwards

Coughlan ensured the points were coming back to Inchicore when he scored a wonderful header.

WWW.UMBRO.IE

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

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

27

Opposition Watch - Sligo Rovers

Ronan O’Flaherty

Paul Maguire

@PaulGoS

It wasn’t too long ago that Pats and Sligo were regularly slugging it out for league titles.

of some of his strikes, he has also netted from the penalty spot in recent weeks.

Also in fine goalscoring form is Romeo Parkes who, before getting sent-off, scored in

Think missed penalties and shanks from 35

Returns

yards. Doesn’t seem that long ago but here We don’t need to be reminded of Liam

we are again – kind of...

Buckleys achievements with the Saints, some Pats and Sligo are in the top 3 with the Bit

of which will live long in Inchicore folklore

O’Red leading the way and the form team

but where he could potentially bring Sligo

going into the break, Pats perhaps grateful

Rovers this season would rank right up there

for the rest after a slight dip while Sligo

with anything he has achieved in his football

would have been keen to keep their

career.

a hard-fought win away to Finn Harps (are wins anything but hard-fought in Ballybofey?) and also grabbed the only goal as Sligo ran out 0-1 winners in Tallaght the week before. They are also a danger from set-pieces, Harry McCourt with several recent assists to his name and as if that wasn’t enough firepower Walter Figueira, Johnny Kenny and Lewis Banks are also chipping in,

momentum going.

Finishing 2020 by securing European football after a frankly awful start to probably the

defender Banks with the winner against Harps last time out.

truncated season gave rise to murmurings that there was something stirring in the northwest. The addition of former Saints Greg Bolger and Jordan Gibson have proved to be masterstrokes. Bolger’s recent performances saw him named SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for May while Gibson is the latest ex-Saint to get a new lease of life on leaving Inchicore and seems to be having a goal-of-the-season duel with

28

our own Chris Forrester, such are the quality

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

end of the season. Participation in the new Europa conference where it should be easier

worst year to be playing catch-up given the

Liam Buckey

Greg Bolger

Speaking of defenders, this is perhaps where Rovers real strength is having only conceded 8 goals in the 14 games played so far. John Mahon has been in fine form while Ed McGinty in goal has made some stunning stops, most notably in injury time to secure those three points in Ballybofey. This side

to progress through more than one round of European football than it has been in the past could yield that windfall LOI clubs crave and with plans recently announced for a redevelopment of the showgrounds Sligo are a club looking optimistically to the future both on and off the pitch.

starting to look like a typical Liam Buckley team, flair up top and out wide with a solid midfield and a mean defence and they should be in the reckoning come the business

This article was written before last weekends round of games due to time constraints.

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

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

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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!

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2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

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.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

31

Stephen Bennett@stebenn15

Eircom Premier Division Friday 30 June 2006

ST PATRICK'S ATH 3 SLIGO ROVERS 1 TREVOR MOLLOY'S fifth and sixth goals of the season fired St Patrick's Athletic to their first win in a month – and brought Sligo's winning run to Darren Mansaram (centre) celebrates after scoring Sligo Rovers’ equaliser with team mates Connor O’Grady, left, and Michael McNamara.

a crashing halt in the eircom League, Premier Division.

Rovers travelled to Dublin on a high having won their last five games, including a 3-1 hammering of title hopefuls Derry City.

But a combination of quality finishing and some sloppy defending brought about their demise at Richmond Park.

Darren Mansaram's goal of the season contender briefly had the teams level after Molloy had opened the scoring, but the former youth international – and later Paul Keegan – wrapped up the Saints' first win since the World Cup break ended.

Adam Hughes should have opened the scoring after 15 minutes but somehow missed from just two yards, and to add to Sligo's frustration, Pat's scored from the very next attack.

Trevor Molloy celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal in the Premier Division clash at Richmond Park.

32

Dave Mulcahy's volley was going wide but a defender's touch sent the ball into Trevor Molloy's path and the striker fired past a

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

static John O'Hara in the Sligo goal.

Rovers equalised through Englishman Darren Mansaram's spectacular effort when he capitalised on a poor clearance, volleying home from the edge of the box.

Molloy showed why he

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

is such a favourite in these parts when he curled home a wonderful strike after the Sligo defence stood off him a little too much.

Ryan; Brennan, Maguire, Murphy, Frost, Mulcahy, O’Connor, Reilly, Rutherford (M Quigley, 73), Keegan, Molloy.

The same accusation could be thrown at the Sligo defence when Paul Keegan completed the scoring, with Alan Reilly having being allowed to stroll effortlessly toward goal, before laying off to the striker.

Subs: Caffrey, Armstrong, S Quigley, Clarke.

Dave Mulcahy went close after the restart but Trevor 2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

SLIGO ROVERS O’Hara; Peers, Foy (McKenzie, 81), McNamara, Burns,O’Grady, Hughes (McCartney, 71), Kuduzovic, McTiernan, Turner, Mansaram.

Subs: Flannery, Curran, Brush, McKenzie.

REFEREE A Buttimer (Cork).

33

Culture Corner

READ

A round-up of what to watch, listen and read compiled by John Keegan.

Get involved for future issues.

HISTORY THE DARKNESS ECHOING GILLIAN O’BRIEN This book is billed as a study on how the Irish are “obsessed with misery, suffering and death”, but that description doesn’t do it justice. Historian Gillian O’Brien explores the museums and historical sites of Ireland, often with young relatives in tow, and meets several colourful characters. There are shades of Bill Bryson here as she discusses how the Irish have interpreted and misinterpreted their history, how our understanding of past events has changed, and where we have got things completely wrong.

If you can’t get on the road to explore the historical artefacts of Ireland, this book is the next best thing. O’Brien is a fine writer with a satirical eye and serves as great company. The introductory chapter, about her grandmother’s obsession with death and her English husband’s bemusement at Irish family funerals, is worth the price of the book alone. Strongly recommended.

Niamh Hanley

WORKING-CLASS WRITING ARCHIVE “Working-class communities have been writing poetry and stories long before our writers became part of the mainstream Irish literary landscape. This is our history, so let’s preserve it.”

Co-founded by St Patrick’s Athletic supporter, Sophie Meehan, and funded by the Arts Council, the Working-Class Writing Archive would love to hear from you if: • You’ve ever been part of a writer’s group in a working-class area that put out a pamphlet, collection or book.

• You’ve kept papers from someone in your family who wrote creatively.

• You’ve been collecting writing, memories or artistic output from your community.

• You’re a writer who connects with this project.

You can get in touch at workingclasswritingarchive@gmail.com Keep an eye out for an in-depth interview with local artist Sophie Meehan in an upcoming issue of The Saint.

LISTEN

LISTEN

CARRY ON PROMOTING

IN YOUR NATURE

Carry on Promoting takes us behind the scenes of Electric City, a weekly electronic music night that ran in a number of Dublin venues from 2003 until 2008.

‘Hawtin in a Micra’, the first episode, details the unusual sequence of events that led to Richie Hawtin, one of the biggest names in techno at the time, playing at Electric City back in 2005.

The podcast is presented by Giles Armstrong and Simon Conway, two well-known heads from the Dublin scene, and it’s obvious that

34

they know their stuff. But the real magic lies in the storytelling; now a bit older, wiser and cynical (at least when talking about minimal, anyway), they know how to tell a story, and it’s easy to see how they managed to convince some of the biggest names in underground electronic music to play their small gigs.

Check it out on YouTube with added photos, posters and images from the night in question.

Hopefully we get some more episodes soon.

Johnny Keegan

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

A new podcast called ‘In your Nature’ has been launched by BirdWatch Ireland. The first six episodes were released weekly from 1st March 2021 and covered topics such as the Dawn Chorus, Nest Boxes and Buzzards. The next six are due to come out in June and are sure to be a mustlisten for anyone interested in nature.

The podcast is anchored by Ricky Whelan, Project Officer with BirdWatch Ireland, and the wellknown media voice of Niall

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

Hatch, Public Relations, Branches & Development Officer with BirdWatch Ireland.

Speaking about the launch of the Podcast on birdwatchireland.ie, Niall Hatch said, “More people than ever before have been turning to nature and developing an interest in wildlife in recent times, and we’re hoping that people are going to enjoy listening to our podcast as much as we enjoy making it.”

Craig McDonnell

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Squads Fáilte Tá áthas orainn fáilte a chur roimh mbainistíocht, imreoirí agus lucht tacaíochta Chlub Pheile Cláirsigh na Finne go Phairc Richmond.

St Patrick’s Athletic

Finn Harps

Manager:

Manager:

Alan Mathews

Head Coach: Stephen O’Donnell

sponsored the club for the 2021 season...

Asst Manager: Paul Hegarty 1 Mark Anthony McGinley GK o

GK o

2 John Mountney

D

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4 Kosovar Sadiki

D

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3 Ian Bermingham

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5 David Webster

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6 Ryan Connolly

M

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7 Karl O’Sullivan

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4 Sam Bone

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5 Lee Desmond

D

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6 Jamie Lennon

M

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9 Sean Boyd

F

o

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10 Mark Timlin

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11 Barry McNamee

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14 Mark Coyle

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15 Jamie Browne

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16 Shane McEleney

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17 Mark Russell

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18 Niall McGinley

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19 Adam Foley

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20 Conor Barry

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21 Stephen Doherty

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22 Ryan Rainey

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23 Joel Bradley-Walsh D

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24 Ethan Boyle

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25 Patrick McGarvey

GK o

7 Robbie Benson 8 Chris Forrester

M M

9 Nahum Melvin-Lambert F 11 Jay McClellend

We are pleased to welcome the management, players and supporters of Finn Harps Football Club to Richmond Park.

We would like to thank the following who have

Ollie Horgan

1 Vítězslav Jaroš

10 Ronan Coughlan

Welcome

Pitchside Sponsors

F F

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12 Matty Smith

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15 Billy King

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16 Alfie Lewis

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17 Darragh Burns

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18 Ben McCormack

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20 Shane Griffin

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21 Barry Murphy

GK o

25 Josh Keeley

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27 Daniel Norris

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26 Tony McNamee

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28 Cian Kelly

27 Ronan Gallagher

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29 Paddy Barrett

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o

28 Will Seymore

M

o

31 Kian Corbally

M

o

29 Ryan Shanley

F

o

31 Lee McLaughlin

D

o

32 Luke McNicholas

GK o

/stpatsfc stpatsfc /stpatsfc

Match Officials

/stpatsfctv

Referee

Assistant 1

45 Babatunde Owolabi F

o

57 Stephen Folan

o

Assistant 2

D

4th Official

info@stpatsfc.com stpatsfc.com

36

Half-Time

Full-Time

MOTM

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

37

Dodge’s Data!

Ronan O’Flaherty

John Owens

@seidodge

League Record v Finn Harps HOME GAMES

Last 10 games v Finn Harps

AWAY GAMES

TOTAL GAMES

7 20 19

33

13

33

Date

Venue

Competition

WIN

24 Apr 2021

Finn Park

League

2-0

Finn Park

League

2-3

10 Aug 2020

Finn Park

FAI Cup 1st Rnd

0-1

07 Aug 2020

Richmond Park

League

2-0

Finn Park

League

2-1

League

1-0

League

2-0

DRAW

LOSE

B King, M Smith

13 32

66

28 Oct 2020

7

L McNally, G Kelly

14 7 GOALS

59

GOALS

41

44

GOALS

47

103

88

Record League Scores v Finn Harps 17/02/85 Richmond Park

5-1

06/07/08 Richmond Park

5-1

18/08/17 Richmond Park

G Kelly 2

6 Sep 2019

4-0

D Markey, R McCabe 15/01/78 Richmond Park

0-3

23/09/78 Richmond Park

0-3

27/01/80 Richmond Park

1-4

13/04/01 Richmond Park

1-4

14 June 2019 Richmond Park J walker

20/03/99 FINN PARK

3-0

11/04/08 FINN PARK

3-0

30/12/73 FINN PARK

0-4

13/04/75 FINN PARK

0-4

22 Apr 2019

Finn Park

C Clifford, M Drennan (p)

Did you know?

BRENDAN BRADLEY holds the record for the highest number of goals, 235, scored by an individual in the League of Ireland with a club record 181 for Finn Harps.

Bradley signed for hometown team Derry City at the age of sixteen in 1966 before moving to Finn Harps for £100 in 1969.

Bradley spent 13 years in total at Finn Park across three different spells.

25 Feb 2019

Richmond Park

League

18 Aug 2017

Richmond Park

League

0-0 4-0

G Kelly, K Byrne (2), C Byrne

22 May 2017

Finn Park

League

1-3

C Fagan

38

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

39

Opposition Watch - Finn Harps

Ronan O’Flaherty

Paul Maguire

@PaulGoS

Another opponent from the northwest! Finn Harps are looking forward to a bright future it seems.

Like our previous opponents,

sit in sixth position on 18

arrived from Hamilton in the

Sligo, they have announced

points. Harps form of late has

close season. Owolabi will

plans for a new stadium and,

been similar to our own with

need to be closely watched

having avoided the play-offs

Ollie Horgan’s men also

by the Saints defence tonight,

last season by a single point

picking up only four out of a

despite a slow start he has

they are enjoying Premier

possible twelve points in the

pedigree having scored 35

division football for the third

run up to the mid-season

times in just 41 games for FC

season in a row. They even

break though they could

United of Manchester in

briefly topped the league

argue that fortune hasn’t

2019/20 season.

earlier in the season but have

favoured them in two of

since had a drop off in

those games.

minutes but it was a

around the mid-point of the

rearguard action after

first half, it was only in the

Dundalk equalised shortly

75th minute that their

after half -time with Mark

dominance registered on the

McGinley being called upon

scoreboard. Owolabi was

several times, each time he

fouled in the penalty area, this time the referee pointed to the spot and McNamee made no mistake. Less than a minute later top-scorer

started on the bench charged through to score a

will fire up his players every

deserved winner.

time they cross the white line this season. Interesting aside

Probably the most galling Speaking of Foley, one area

is that both managers have

of concern for Ollie Horgan

had to serve suspensions for

will be that he has scored half

red cards so it might even get

of their 12 goals this season

a bit spikey on the touchline!

at home to high flying

their goalkeeper to thank for

Drogheda where they were

their hard-fought 2-1 win in

undone by a last minute

Ballybofey last time out when

Dane Massey free-kick where

he kept out Sean Boyds’

they deserved at least a draw

was equal to the challenge

will require Owolabi to step

header in the 92nd minute.

and also had claims for a

and Harps held on for a

up to the plate. Barry

Harps also had two goals

penalty denied by the referee

point.

McNamee will also try to

disallowed and the

after Owolabi looked like he had been fouled in the box.

for most of the game but

Barry McNamee

and a loss of form or fitness

dictate from midfield and They comfortably saw off

there is a good balance of

Waterford even if the 2-1

experienced pros like ex-

they couldn’t add to Tunde

In a change of fortunes a 1-1

scoreline flattered their

Saint and Harps captain Dave

Owolabi’s equaliser, his first

draw with Dundalk was hard

opponents at the RSC. Even

Webster, John Dunleavey and

goal for his new club having

earned. Barry McNamee

so, having gone behind after

Ethan Boyle in their ranks and

three minutes and

you can bet that Ollie Horgan

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

Shane McEleney

Adam Foley, who had

League leaders Sligo had

advantage of an extra man

40

dominating the game from

result in this run was the loss

performance levels and now

Ollie Horgan

opened the scoring after 20

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

This article was written before last weekends round of games due to time constraints.

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

41

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.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

43 43

Eurozone Seán Brennan

@SBahnManc

Łukasz Skowron – The View From The Bench Former St Pats goalkeeper Łukasz Skowron joins me for a video call from his home in Gdańsk. Retired from playing football at the young age of 27, his experiences in four different countries have helped prepare him from his current role as a goalkeeping coach.

SB: Łukasz, what first inspired you to take up the lonely position between the goalposts?

LS: When I was a kid, I had an older brother and an older cousin.

They forced me to play in goal, but as they saw I was decent at it, they became really encouraging.

Later, it was a way for me to get credit from the older kids. All the players my age were watching from the sidelines as I was fitting in with the older lads. It felt cool, I felt accepted.

SB: After some time on the bench at larger clubs, you moved to Radomiak Radom, then in the Polish 4th tier.

LS: Yeah, I wanted first team football, so I dropped down a couple of divisions. Radom is an industrial city in Central Poland, about the size of Cork.

Without much going on, the people are mad for sports, their handball and basketball teams perform really well, and we were able to get promoted in my first season. It was a good experience, especially as I met my now wife there.

44

The manager there, Dariusz Zigala had a lot of faith in me, and when he got the job at top tier Jagiellonia Białystok (former employers of Cillian Sheridan) he took me with him. I really gave it all there, had some top performances. Unfortunately for me, the other keeper Jakub Słowik played the season of his life that year.

SB: Your return to Radom didn’t work out as planned after that?

LS: No, it started well but when I got injured they didn’t look after me, so it was time to look after myself. I moved to Arka Gdynia for a season before becoming fed up with the same old circles in Polish football. In Poland, sometimes the game is already decided and you can’t control it.

SB: Cyprus must have been a refreshing change then? High standard league and Mediterranean climate?

LS: Definitely. I told my agent I was open to a move abroad and I got in at AEL Limassol. There were some excellent players there, I loved the weather, but most of all, I developed myself as a player

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

there. The goalkeeping coach Nikos Konstantinidis was like a father figure to me. We’re still in contact, I even got to do a coaching internship at a later stage with AEL. It was him who inspired me to later become a goalkeeping coach. It was tough to get more games starting though, their Argentine keeper Matías Degra was like a god there. He was there when they won the league a few years before. I had an offer to stay, but only behind him in the priority.

SB: Then half a season in Portugal’s second tier. What was it like playing in a team doomed to relegation?

LS: It was mission impossible. SC Olhanense had lost their first 11 games. The squad lacked maturity, there were a number of young loanees from bigger clubs, including one guy from AS Roma who was on €30,000 a month. They were more interested in cars and nightclubs.

It wasn’t a great time for me – I even got injured in a fight with a teammate.

SB: Did you enjoy the Algarve at least? Previous managers of this lesser known club include Sergio Conceiçao, Abel Xavier, and Edgar Davids. I’m guessing there’s something which attracted them there?

LS: Ha, the upside of being injured was that I could go with my wife to visit beaches, mountains and charming small villages. Great for tourism at least!

SB: Your agent got you a job in Dublin then, landing in a relegation dogfight. Personally, how did you drive yourself, having experienced relegation with Olhanense and Radomiak Radom?

LS: I was very lucky at St Patrick’s. Despite losing 0-6 on my debut, I was pleased with some good saves. Liam and the team were encouraging. The difference between St Patrick’s and Olhanense was that we had real leaders; Ian Bermingham, Killian Brennan, Conan Byrne.

They were not going to allow us to fail. We scraped some draws, beat some teams at the top (2-0 v Rovers, 4-2 v Cork) and deservedly survived in the end.

goalkeeping coach at a youth academy and for a club in the 5th tier. I’ve done my UEFA B licence and am currently studying for the A licence. I get a lot more satisfaction coaching then I did playing.

SB: You’ve had a short yet diverse career. What have you learnt from it?

LS: You can’t buy experience.

Look, I’ve spent most of my career sitting on the bench. I learn from that, seeing the game from a distance. I’m happy that I left my hometown. In life, I hate to be in a comfort zone, in a new environment I can develop my soul.

SB: That was your last professional contract. Why hang up your gloves at 27?

LS: I had offers, but the time was right to start a new life. We moved to Gdańsk, we knew nobody there, but have settled in well. It’s a great city to live in, relaxed vibers and the Baltic coast. I’m working as a

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

Łukasz on signing for AEL Limassol

45

Quiz Time Kieran Coughlan

1 Which player scored the most goals

6

in the Euro 2020 qualifiers?

2 Name the 4 stadiums that have

How many goals did Ireland concede in Euro 2012?

7

Who were the last country to score

hosted a Premier League game in

in a European Championship final

every season?

and not win the trophy?

3 Eddie Gormley scored the winning

8

Which three clubs did Dermot Keely

goal when the Saints won the league

win the FAI Cup with in his playing

in 1998 but which player scored the

career?

first goal for St Pat's in Kilkenny?

9 4 Which player won the FAI cup with Sligo in 1983 and 1994?

Who were the only two Premier League based members of the Portuguese squad that reached the final of the tournament in 2004?

5 When did Ollie Horgan take charge of Finn Harps?

10 Which three countries have Spain defeated in a European Championship final?

Q5. 2013.

Q7. Italy 2000.

Q2. Anfield, Old Trafford, Goodison Park, Stamford Bridge.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

Q1. Harry Kane.

Q6. Nine.

WWW.MIG.IE

Q4. Martin McDonnell.

46 46

Q3. Colin Hawkins.

MARCHING ON

Q9. Cristiano Ronaldo, Helder Postiga.

THE SAINTS

Q8. Home Farm, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

Answers Q10. USSR, Germany, Italy

McCarthy Insurance Group

47 47

Dermot Gallagher

Ronan O’Flaherty

Seán Creedon

First Irishman to referee an FA Cup final Last month Brendan Rodgers became the second Irishman to manage an FA Cup final winning team when Leicester City beat Chelsea 1-0. The first Irishman to achieve that feat was Terry Neill with Arsenal in 1979.

We have had a few Irish players, from North and South, who have captained FA Cup winning teams, but so far there has only been one Irish-born referee who has taken charge of a final in the 149-year history of the famous cup.

That was Dubliner Dermot Gallagher, who refereed the 1996 final between Manchester United and Liverpool. The ’96 final is remembered as the day the Liverpool players wore those infamous white suits as they walked out on the Wembley pitch before the game, but it was United who won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Eric Cantona. ‘‘Twenty five years ago the FA Cup final was the biggest game of the season in England. Manchester United won the League-Cup double that year and Liverpool were one of top teams around, but the game didn’t really live up

48

to its billing. To tell you the truth it wouldn’t be in the top three games that I have refereed,’’ said Dermot.

It’s often claimed that the suburb of Ringsend has provided more players for Irish senior international teams than any other area and the working class section of Dublin 4 has also produced our most famous referee.

Dermot was born in Holles Street Hospital in May 1957. His father John, mother Barbara and young Dermot lived in a flat near Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium. Dermot’s father John worked for ICI, but he always wanted a proper house for his family. ‘‘1965 my father heard about a job in Banbury, Oxfordshire as a train driver and a major perk of the job was that a house was also provided. My father decided to move the family to England. ‘‘At that stage Banbury was a major railway station. When we got to Banbury the previous occupants of the house that we had been

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

allocated, hadn’t moved out and we had to move into a Railway Hostel. But you were only allowed live in a hostel for 30 days and then we had to move into a caravan until our house was ready.’’ ‘‘My parents had two more boys after we moved to Banbury and my dad lived in that house until he died in1995. I now lived in a village near Banbury,’’ added Dermot.

After finishing school Dermot got a joy as a Keyboard Operator in a local printing works. He was also a left winger in the Oxford Senior League with Old Easingtonians.

Four days before his 21st birthday Dermot was hospitalised with glandular fever and spent 13 months recovering from the fever. He lost two and a half stone in weight during the illness and a colleague from the printers Dick Bartlett suggested he should take up refereeing to build up his strength once again.

The young referee made an

immediate impression and within three years Dermot was promoted to the Football League panel. When the Premiers League started in 1992 the Dubliner was on the panel and his first game was Coventry’s 2-0 win over Spurs at White Hart Lane in August ’92.

His first international was France against Poland in Paris in 1990. There were many more big games in the Champions League, under 20 World Cup and Euro ‘96 where Dermot injured his Achilles which kept him out for nine month.

In February 2002 Dermot made history by refereeing a game involving his native country. ‘‘I had done a bit of coaching with the Irish referees and my good friend Paddy Daly suggested to the FAI that as a reward I should take charge of the friendly against Russia prior to the 2002 World Cup finals. Officially I was affiliated to the English FA and Russia agreed, but they probably wouldn’t have agreed if had been a competitive game.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

‘‘That night I thought back to the many times I walked by Lansdowne Road with my father and I would say to him that one day I would play there,’’ said Dermot.

Yet that honour of refereeing a game involving his own country is still not number one in Dermot’s all-time list of favourite games. Number one is the Mandela Cup final between South Africa and Germany in Johannesburg in December 1995. ‘‘Nelson Mandela was being introduced to the teams and officials and when he got to me he said, ‘Hello Dermot.’

That was awesome, the proudest day of my life where the icon of the 20th century knew my name,” said Dermot.

Dermot retired at the end of the 2006-07 season and his last Premier League game was at Anfield where Liverpool drew 2-2 with Charlton in May 2007.

He now works as an analyst for Sky Sports and gets to the Aviva whenever he can for a Republic of Ireland game.

49

Club History Dermot Looney

@dlooney

1945/46: Back to Winning Ways The 1945-46 season was the first taking place in peacetime in six years and would prove to be St Pat’s final one in Division II of the Leinster Senior League. Twenty teams took part in Division II this season, with newcomers including Liffey Wanderers, Millview, Liffey Dockyard and Juventus, who as the name might suggest were a team made up of Dublin-based Italians.

The division was divided into two sections. Pat’s were in Section A with Midland, Bohemians, Buccaneers, Ierne B, Drogheda United, Shamrock Rovers C, Port and Docks Board, Transport and Millview.

One of the star players for the Saints this season was Billy Shields, who had significant League of Ireland experience. The half-back had played with Brideville and St James’ Gate. His first time lining out for Pat’s was in a charity match in aid of St Vincent de Paul in the 1942/43 season. Shields had scored two goals for Brideville in a famous FAI Cup semi final against Cork United in the 1942/43 FAI Cup. He had also played for Brideville on their return to the League in 1944/45 but dropped down the divisions to St Pat’s for this season.

50

Patrick’s won their first seven games of the season with the seventh against a club they faced for the first time in competitive action; Shamrock Rovers (albeit this was Rovers’ third team, with their A team in the League of Ireland and their B team in the LSL Division I). The rivalry between the two clubs which began this season would become fiercer in the seasons to come, even before the League of Ireland era.

Pat’s League campaign hit two bumps in mid-season with defeats to Buccaneers and Midland.

Unusually, only two League matches were played from midJanuary to mid-March; a 5-2 win against Bohemians on February 23rd, and a 3-3 draw with Ierne on March 9th.

Remarkably, with results of only 12 League matches all season for St Patrick’s appearing in the papers, there were no further League games until a League Championship test match (play-off) on Sunday, May 26th against 44th LDF at Tolka Park. It is possible that the expansion of the Johnson Cup led to curtailment of the League.

The 44th Local Defence Force were one of a number of army teams playing at a high level during the Emergency and in its immediate aftermath.

They had won Section B of the League.

None of the daily newspapers gave the outcome of this game despite it being advertised and promoted, and despite their coverage of a multitude of other football matches from the weekend. However, it does appear that the game ended in a draw as the replay took place on Saturday June 15th at Tolka Park.

The replay received a full match report in the following day’s Sunday Independent. “ST PATRICK’S LEAGUE CHAMPIONS” is the headline, noting a 2-0 scoreline.

Pat’s won “through making better use of fewer chances arising from less of the play.” Forwards G Brogan, Wall and Adams were credited with “telling directness and enterprise.” But keeper Dunne and defenders Maher and Cummins, along with ex-Brideville player Shields at left-half, are noted for their resolute defending. Both Pat’s goals came in the second half.

On 52 minutes, Wall scored from 20 yards, while Adams scored from close in towards the end to seal the victory.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

Leinster Senior League - Mid 1940s Pat’s had a short-lived defence of their Leinster Junior Cup title, with a first round defeat to St Paul’s on a 32 scoreline. There was a similar setback in the FAI Junior Cup; Pat’s defeated Bohs C in Round One but were knocked out in Round Two by League rivals 44th LDF. A convoluted format for the Johnson Cup saw the division divided into four sections, with the winners of each section qualifying for the semi-final. Pat’s played at least ten games in this competition, winning their section in a test match against Portobello, but losing the semi-final against Richmond rivals St Paul’s by three goals to one.

This would be Pat’s last season in these three Cup competitions, as they made the move to intermediate football for 1946/47.

The Athletic fielded at least four teams this season; as well as the A team in the LSL Division II, the B team continued in the AUL Division II (Sunday), and the Minor team took part again in the AUL Minor League.

Additions this year were a schoolboys side – which may have been broken down further into 15’s and 16’s teams. Details are sketchy as to if both these teams competed as Pat’s or if one competed as Bulfin United.

A St Patrick’s Athletic Medal

Tournament was held in July featuring clubs such as Shamrock Rovers, Harmerne, 44th LDF, Portobello Utd, Home Farm, Lamb’s, and Mountpleasant, as well as the Saints themselves. It was a knockout tournament with the final played on Sunday July 28th at Richmond Park between Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers, with an admission price of 6d. Pat’s won the match 2-0 with goals from Begley and Brogan.

Medals were presented to the winning and losing teams by Pat’s chairman, Mr Dunne.

This season had seen Pat’s first League title since 1938-39, and their first win since making Richmond Park their home. Six seasons of frustrating second and third place finishes had no doubt made this a sweet return to the top for the players, officials and fans. This time around, they would not have to stay in Leinster League Division II. For the following season, 1946-47, Pat’s were promoted to the Leinster Senior League First Division; the second tier of Irish football.

And they were about to cause a sensational shock to the old order in Dublin, Leinster and across Ireland with their growth and advancement in the years to come.

Season Statistics League position:

Winners. Played 13 Won 10 Drew 1 Lost 2 Goals For 45 Goals Against 22

Cup record:

Johnson Cup SF, Leinster Junior Cup 1R, FAI Junior Cup 2R

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

51

picking the ball out of his net again after 75 minutes.

Stephen Bennett@stebenn15

The luckless goalkeeper was only able to parry Fahey’s shot, once again straight to Fitzpatrick. He turned provider this time around, laying it off to Paisley who had another easy finish to complete a rare double for the centre-half.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Eircom Premier Division Irish Independent - Monday 7 July 2008

Ryan, Lynch (Haverty 77), Paisley, Harris (O'Cearuill 77), Byrne, Guy, Dempsey, Fahey, Kirby, Quigley (O'Neill 66), Fitzpatrick.

ST PATRICK'S ATH 5 FINN HARPS 1

FINN HARPS

IT was more a Sunday evening stroll than a march, but the Saints are back to the top of the table either way with a comfortable win in Inchicore.

John McDonnell’s men have taken full advantage of Bohemians’ ongoing Intertoto leave of absence amassing seven points from a possible nine while the Gypsies have been on their travels.

They had to come from behind after Stuart Malcolm’s surprise sixth minute opener but

Harp’s naivety in defence after that showed why there is now 23 points between these sides in the table.

Paul Hegarty’s hesitant back four was ruthlessly exploited by the free scoring league leaders and while the manager deserves credit for the attackminded way in which he set his side up, he may be forced into a rethink the next time he meets a team at the higher end of the table.

Bullet They started brightly and stunned the home support when Shaun Holmes’ cross found roving centre-half Malcolm, and he sent a bullet past St Pat’s ‘keeper Barry Ryan.

Alan Kirby drew the Saints level with a beautiful strike on 21 minutes. The Harps defence failed to deal with Dessie Byrne’s long throw and when the loose ball fell at the winger’s feet he sent an

Cullen, Roddy, Holmes, Boyle (Gill 45), Malcolm, Breen (Friel 62), Funston, McGowan, Tyrell, Parkhouse (Ramsey 62) , Gethins.

Stephen Paisley (right) of St Patrick's Athletic battles with Finn Harps’s Conor Gethins during their eircom Premier Division game at Richmond Park last night.

unstoppable rising shot into the roof of the net.

The away side’s inability to deal with balls into the box was starting to hurt them.

Ryan Guy should have put Pat’s in front minutes later when his weak header was straight at Gavin Cullen from point blank range.

Strangely, it was a similar lack of composure from Guy that led to Pat’s second. Keith Fahey’s cross found the American in the same position.

His attempt to control the ball with his chest was too firm but luckily Stephen Paisley was on hand and the defender couldn’t miss from close range.

Perhaps it was the loss of

REFEREE A Buttimer (Cork).

centre-half Declan Boyle to a half-time injury, but the away side fell apart after the break.

The game was over as a contest when Mark Quigley grabbed his 11th goal of the season two minutes into the half. The impressive striker latched on to an inch-perfect Keith Fahey pass, rounded Cullen and slotted home.

The home faithful had barely stopped celebrating and it was four. Glen Fitzpatrick was on hand to tap home from close range after the unfortunate Cullen’s save from Guy’s shot ran into his path.

Cullen did contribute an outstanding save to keep the score down, denying Guy with an acrobatic effort but he was

Stephen Paisley’s scores his side’s equalising goal past Finn Harps goalkeeper Gavin Cullen at Richmond Park.

52

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

53

Club Shop

Ronan O’Flaherty

https://supersaintsstore.com/

Home Jersey Small Youths to 4XL

Staff Match Day Jacket Small Youths to 3XL

54

50 65

50 65

@karl_pats

Home Walk Out Jacket Small Youths to 4XL

Home Warm Up Jersey Small Youths to 4XL

50 65

27

Away Jersey Small Youths to 4XL

Red Training Jersey

35

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

Small Youths to 3XL

50 65

27

White Training Jersey Small to 3XL

Navy Training Jersey

35

Small to 3XL

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

35

35 55

A View from Afar

Ronan O’Flaherty

Ian Templeman

@iantemplemanloi

Around the time that the last edition of “The Saint” was being published, once again we saw some adverse publicity surrounding the abuse that footballers receive on social media, especially Twitter.

The latest high profile victim was Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford, who revealed that following United’s defeat to Villareal in the Europa League final, he had received over 70 messages that contained racial abuse.

while I was Media Officer in the North West Counties Football League. I held the position from 2007 through to the summer of 2019, during which time the popularity and use of social media grew from nothing to the behemoth it is today.

This is sadly not something that is new, but in rightly highlighting it, at least Rashford is making everyone aware that it is certainly not a problem that has suddenly gone away, or is something that happens to those who are deliberately provocative and who court interaction on social media, in whatever form it takes.

As it started to become more popular, we set up a league Twitter account which we agreed would just send out links to stories on the website, results and announcements.

After that, interaction with the outside world was left to the individual league officials.

It’s a sad indictment of modern society that footballers, and sportsmen and women in general, are ritually abused if they commit an error or their teams lose. I imagine that if England underperform in the Euros, there will be no shortage of social media critics venting their fury at those they hold responsible. It’s not just sports people of course politicians and journalists are also among those who come in for regular online abuse for doing their jobs – with women in particular singled out for some of the harshest comments.

I can’t claim to have had celebrity status to the point I have been targeted on social media, but I have certainly had an insight into how it can all unravel, from my time in nonleague football over here in England

56

The main part of my role involved getting around grounds, and talking to club officials and managers, and sometimes players too, and from there writing stories for the league website. As Twitter began to grow in popularity, I set up an account and started chatting about issues relating to our league, and after a few early online exchanges I quickly realised that it was extremely unlikely that you would come under fire from anyone you knew, or from someone in a position of authority at a club. It was very much the people you didn’t know that you had potential problems with.

An added issue was that those who chose to challenge you were often illinformed, unaware of league rules, not always very well able to express themselves and although they had never had any involvement with the clubs in our league, considered

themselves expert enough to comment on it. You also had to take into account what time of the day or night that any comments were being made – if they were being aired after say 9 o’clock in the evening, there was always a chance that words being typed were being fuelled by beer, rather than being a coherent train of thought or carefully considered view from the individual who was typing them.

That being the case, I always avoided getting into too much dialogue when it was obvious someone was just spoiling for an argument, no matter what nonsense they were spouting to support their view. There is nothing clever about publicly humiliating someone for being ill-informed or irrational, especially when the sum total of their achievements might amount to being able to connect a device to the internet. Also, while some might be bothered about strangers getting abusive towards them, I have always had rather a thick skin when it comes to that sort of thing, and I always found it quite amusing that someone who didn’t know me and whom I had never met, could pass comment about how I went about my role as a league official.

I remember on one occasion I innocently pointed out an inaccuracy in what someone had said, and I was then accused of being a “<insert offensive word here> who just swans around the league cosying up to

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

your favourite clubs”. I immediately liked the comment and retweeted it, so that everyone around the league could share the moment, while at the same time being put on alert about the individual, should their name crop up again. Generally it was the case that personal comments aimed at me didn’t bother me, I’m a bit too long in the tooth to get worried about that, but it did annoy me sometimes that I had wasted time reading something that simply wasn’t worth spending time on.

These days I am a much more casual user of Twitter, but when it comes to following events in the SSE Airtricity League, I do find most of the interactions between players, club representatives and the media a good read, and it’s a great way for someone like me to keep in touch with all the comings and goings. I’m sure there must be hostility out there, but I rarely come across any, and I think that as long as you are careful who you follow on Twitter, you don’t tend to get caught up in reading meaningless exchanges between people whose opinions on anything are of little interest, or seeing abuse that annoys you and puts you off reading any more.

As far as this league is concerned I think many of the well-known names around the league give good insight

and opinions, and use the medium well. Now, I’m not saying it’s always going to be all sweetness and light – there was, for example, a short spell in the recent international friendly when Andorra were leading 1-0 against the Republic of Ireland when you could sense the keyboard warriors were ready to pounce.

But at the time of writing this, in recent weeks I’ve seen positivity about the 0-0 draw in Budapest and Stephen Kenny’s future tenure as the international manager, plenty of upbeat messages and thoughts surrounding the return of supporters to games, and conjecture about behind the scenes goings-on at various clubs, which all made for good reading. In particular it was good to see the reaction to Conan Byrne, once of this parish, announcing his retirement from professional football, which prompted many messages of goodwill towards one of our more recent favourite sons.

In addition to those specific examples, I can always rely on seeing plenty of interactions and posts from the leading journalists who cover this league, links to the many and varied podcasts that are available to listen to, and various witticisms and good news stories that help to pleasantly fill a few idle minutes browsing.

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

Twitter at its best entertains me, helps me learn from others, and provides me with information I enjoy reading, as well as giving me the chance to interact with others whose opinions interest me on matters relating to football over here. It can even give me the chance to demonstrate that I have a sense of humour, on the rare occasions I find something funny to talk about. But unfortunately, it can also provide a platform for those who wish to use it to send abuse and threats, and air illinformed views. There isn’t a clear solution to that particular problem, and it’s outwith my control to do anything about it, apart from making sure I don’t endorse or follow anyone involved in unsavoury posts.

But the positives of keeping in touch from afar with the SSE Airtricity League on Twitter by following likeminded fellow users who share my interest, far outweigh any negatives.

Knowing this league, I’m sure that will continue to be the case, and we will hopefully remain free of instances where players in this league have to report and highlight personal and racist abuse in the way that Marcus Rashford had to a few weeks ago.

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

57

Player Apps & Goals 2021 League of Ireland

Total

Start

Sub

App

Goals

Start

Sub

App

Goals

Start

Sub

App

Goals

Vítězslav Jaroš

15

0

15

0

0

0

0

0

15

0

15

0

John Mountney

13

2

15

1

0

0

0

0

13

2

15

1

Ian Bermingham

11

2

13

1

0

0

0

0

11

2

13

1

Sam Bone

12

0

12

1

0

0

0

0

12

0

12

1

Lee Desmond

15

0

15

1

0

0

0

0

15

0

15

1

Jamie Lennon

12

1

13

0

0

0

0

0

12

1

13

0

Robbie Benson

8

2

10

3

0

0

0

0

8

2

10

3

Chris Forrester

15

0

15

3

0

0

0

0

15

0

15

3

0

5

5

1

0

0

0

0

0

5

5

1

Ronan Coughlan

12

2

14

4

0

0

0

0

12

2

14

4

Jason McClellend

2

5

7

0

0

0

0

0

2

5

7

0

13

1

14

3

0

0

0

0

13

1

14

3

8

3

11

0

0

0

0

0

8

3

11

0

Nahum Melvin-Lambert

Matty Smith Paddy Barrett Billy King

12

2

14

2

0

0

0

0

12

2

14

2

Alfie Lewis

6

4

10

0

0

0

0

0

6

4

10

0

Darragh Burns

3

4

7

2

0

0

0

0

3

4

7

2

Ben McCormack

1

9

10

0

0

0

0

0

1

9

10

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

SSE Airtricity. Official Sponsor of the Premier Division.

FAI Cup

LAST 5 MATCHES

Pld

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

- Shamrock Rovers

15

9

4

2

22

11

11

31

D

2

- Sligo Rovers

15

9

4

2

21

10

11

31

W W W W

L

3

- St. Patrick's Athletic

15

8

4

3

23

15

8

28

L

W

D

L

W

L

L

W

D

4

- Drogheda United

15

7

4

4

29

14

15

25

W

W W

L

W

5

- Bohemian FC

15

6

3

6

24

16

8

21

W

L

W W

D

6

- Finn Harps

15

5

4

6

13

19

-6

19

D

L

W

L

D

7

▲ Derry City

15

4

6

5

15

19

-4

18

D

W

D

W

D

8

▼ Dundalk

15

4

5

6

19

22

-3

17

D

W

L

W

L

9

▲ Waterford FC

15

3

0

12

9

31

-22

9

L

L

L

L

W

15

1

4

10

10

28

-18

7

L

L

L

L

L

10 ▼ Longford Town

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

59 59

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

1

Fri 28 May

Dundalk

Home Series 14

0-2

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham

Desmond

Bone

Barrett

Lennon

Sat 12 June

Longford Town

Away

Series 15

3-1

Jaroš

Mountney

Bermingham

Desmond

Barrett

Lewis

Benson

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

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

Lewis

Coughlan

Forrester

Benson

Bermingham Melvin-Lambert

McCormack

Norris

Corbally

Murphy

Keeley

King

Smith

Forrester

Benson

Coughlan

Lewis

Melvin-Lambert McCormack

Corbally

Norris

Corbally

Murphy

King

Smith

Forrester

Coughlan 1 Burns

McClelland

McCormack Norris

Corbally

Lonergan

Murphy

Keeley

1

2

1

1 Benson

Melvin-Lambert 1

1 McCormack

2021 SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION SERIES 16 - Fri 18 June

BOHEMIANS

v

DROGHEDA UNITED

7:45PM

DUNDALK

v

LONGFORD TOWN

7:45PM

FINN HARPS

v

DERRY CITY

8:00PM

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

v

SLIGO ROVERS

7:45PM

WATERFORD

v

SHAMROCK ROVERS

7:45PM

2021 SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION SERIES 17 - Mon 21 June / Tues 22 June*

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

BOHEMIANS

v

SHAMROCK ROVERS

7:45PM

DERRY CITY

v

SLIGO ROVERS

7:45PM

DROGHEDA UNITED

v

DUNDALK

7:45PM

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

v

FINN HARPS

7:45PM

*LONGFORD TOWN

v

WATERFORD

7:45PM

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

60

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

2021 Season • Vol. 33 • No.08 • St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers & Finn Harps

61

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