Buckley looking to pick his Pat's team up after late Limerick drama

St. Patrick’s Athletic were held to a 2-2 all draw at Richmond Park on Saturday evening after a late Limerick goal.

 

It means Liam Buckley’s hopes of the Saints Premier Division survival are still very much in the balance and there is the real prospect of St. Pat’s being relegated for the first time in the club’s history.

 

“I think the 94 minutes were up and we were roaring at the referee to blow the whistle,” said Buckley about the frenetic end to the game. “I was saying to the fourth official it was over and they scored.”

 

Liam Buckley’s side suffered heartache as Shane Duggan managed to score a late equaliser with the last kick of the game. The goal hit the Saints’ survival chances and also boosted Limerick as they got a vital point in terms of staying in the Premier Division for next season.

 

“We got a lot crosses into the box,” said Buckley reflecting on the game as a whole. “We have done enough to win the game tonight. Nine times out of ten you win that type of game.

 



“We are just unfortunate how it’s ended up. It’s stuff like that which has gone wrong for us this season. I thought we passed it well in both halfs, got plenty of crosses and should have been more clinical in front of goal”

 

The Saints are now two points behind seventh place Limerick but, level with Sligo Rovers, are just one point above the drop zone with three games left to play.

 

"They now have a vital game against Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park next Friday night to come and will finish the season against Cork City and then Derry City.

 



“There’s three matches left and we need to still pick up points in those three games. We have beaten Shamrock Rovers twice this season and haven’t lost to them. Can we get three points out of Derry and Cork? Yes we can.

 

“We will pick ourselves up. The team will look over the performance. We still have nine points to play for. It’s going to be important as Galway are still fighting. They are not out of it yet. They need to pick up points as well so it’s all to play for.”