League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- St Patrick's Athletic

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Two games in four days sees Wexford Youths welcome St. Patrick’s Athletic to Ferrycarrig Park, a fixture that had been postponed due to the Dublin clubs run in the Europa League.

Last time out a Gary Delaney header was the margin in a 1-0 win for Youths over Finn Harps. The result was much needed as Wexford had come into the Finn Harps game on the back of six defeats in a row.

Manager Shane Keegan has moved to strengthen his squad by bringing in Waterford born Andrew O'Connor who can play in both defence and midfield.

In the opposite direction teenager Ryan Delaney has moved across the pond to Nigel Clough managed Burton Albion and was an unused substitute when Albion beat Chester 3-0 in a friendly at the weekend.

Wexford Youths are just two points behind Bray Wanderers in a tight bottom of the table and with the two sides to meet in September its already shaping up to be an important 90 minutes between surviving or being relegated.

A win over St Patrick’s Athletic will push Wexford out of the relegation zone.

Kick off at Ferrycarrig Park is 20:00

ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

St. Patrick's Athletic return to Premier Division action after brave performances in the Europa League. The Saints beat Luxemburg outfit Jeunesse Esch on the away goal rule when it ended 2-2 after both ties. Christy Fagan hitting the net at home and defender Darren Dennehy grabbing the away goal at the Stade de la Frontière.

They progressed to meet Dinamo Minsk where Christy Fagan got the equaliser in Belarus during the 1-1 draw. However a narrow 1-0 loss at home ended the Inchicore sides run in Europe.

The Saints goalkeeper Brendan Clarke reflected on his squads exit against Minsk.

"Anyone who was at the game can say we literally gave everything that we had to get through. We got done with a set piece and they are the small margins that European teams capitalise on, the experience they have to see out the game was unbelievable, they were clever and they got the result."  Clarke told the ExtraTime.ie Sportscast. You can listen to the full interview here.

Perhaps The Saints European adventure was a welcome distraction from their current league form. The Dublin squad are on a run of four consecutive defeats. Their last league triumph coming in the 4-0 home win over Finn Harps back on the 17^th of May.

Manager Liam Buckley has an EA Sports Cup semi-final fixture against Shamrock Rovers coming up and its vital to get back to winning ways domestically if his Saints are to progress.

Buckey has also signed Republic of Ireland underage international midfielder Steven Kinsella on loan from Everton, and he has been given international clearance and is registered to play ahead of this fixture against Wexford Youths.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

This is the second Premier Division meeting between St. Patrick's Athletic and Wexford Youths. On April 15^th St. Patricks Athletic won 4-0 with a brace from Conan Byrne, and a goal each from Mark Timlin and Christy Fagan.

The sides have met in the FAI Cup last sixteen. On August 17th 2008 in Ferrycarrig Park it was St. Patricks Athletic who were victorious wining 3-1 on that occasion.

Wexford striker Danny Furlong was sent off when the sides last met on April 15th 2016.

BETTING

Wexford Youths 11/4; Draw 23/10; St. Patricks Athletic Evens.

PREDICTION

2-2

Wexford Youths

Injured: Danny Ledwith, Eric Molloy, Conor Whittle.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Paul Murphy.

St. Patricks Athletic

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: David Cawley.