Mahon proud of Saints
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Saint Patrick’s Athletic manager Pete Mahon was a satisfied man following his side’s 1-1 draw with Sporting Fingal, a result which lifted his side ahead of Shamrock Rovers on goal difference at the top of the Airtricity League.
Despite the fact that the Saints dropped two points and missed the chance to pull two points clear of their Tallaght rivals, he was happy enough with the draw. “Our main objective was to try and move ten points ahead of Fingal by beating them because I don’t think they would have caught us if we’d moved ten points ahead of them with fourteen or fifteen games remaining.
“But having said that, we’re back on top of the table and that’s where we want to be. We’ve been up there before, it’s somewhere we want to stay. Whether it’s goal difference or points, obviously on points would be better, but it brings us level with Rovers and we have to be proud of what we’ve achieved so far.”
After a first half where the Saints struggled to threaten chances on goal, Mahon made two changes at half-time, withdrawing Paul Byrne and Derek Doyle because of concussion and illness respectively. On reflection about the scoreline, Mahon reckoned that the draw was a fair result.
“It was a good test for us coming from behind, and against a good team. The players in fairness showed a great amount of bottle to come back. In fairness to them, they played a game on Thursday and I thought the fitness levels were good even though both teams got tired at the end. I think once we got the goal, they were happy with the point and in hindsight, a draw was a fair result.”
With centre half Shane Guthrie missing through injury, Mahon gave an update on the player’s condition, and also had a special mention for Dave Mulcahy, his replacement at centre back, who continued his recent goalscoring form.
“Shane will have a scan in the morning. He has a bit of a calf strain, I’m hoping that it won’t be too bad and that he’ll be ok. As regards Dave, he’s been great for us all season, whether he’s played in midfield, at the back or whatever we ask him to do, he’s a great lad. Three goals in two games is great, if he continues like that he’ll be our leading goalscorer very soon.”
Mahon now looks ahead to next week’s big clash against cross city rivals Bohemians. The clash between the first and third placed teams is sure to be an entertaining game, and Mahon promises his side will go to Dalymount Park seeking the three points.
“We’ve played Bohemians three times now this year and it’s been fairly even each time. We’ve had a draw, a defeat in the Setanta Cup final and a win. It’s a big challenge for us going to Dalymount, we know that. It’s important that we recover from this game, it took a lot out of us and Bohs haven’t played since Friday so they’ll be nice and relaxed.”
“We’ll go over there and be very very positive, we don’t fear anybody and won’t be intimidated by anybody or any situation. We’ll give it a good go. We’ll revert back to our 4-4-2 and have a right crack off them.”
Despite the fact that the Saints dropped two points and missed the chance to pull two points clear of their Tallaght rivals, he was happy enough with the draw. “Our main objective was to try and move ten points ahead of Fingal by beating them because I don’t think they would have caught us if we’d moved ten points ahead of them with fourteen or fifteen games remaining.
“But having said that, we’re back on top of the table and that’s where we want to be. We’ve been up there before, it’s somewhere we want to stay. Whether it’s goal difference or points, obviously on points would be better, but it brings us level with Rovers and we have to be proud of what we’ve achieved so far.”
After a first half where the Saints struggled to threaten chances on goal, Mahon made two changes at half-time, withdrawing Paul Byrne and Derek Doyle because of concussion and illness respectively. On reflection about the scoreline, Mahon reckoned that the draw was a fair result.
“It was a good test for us coming from behind, and against a good team. The players in fairness showed a great amount of bottle to come back. In fairness to them, they played a game on Thursday and I thought the fitness levels were good even though both teams got tired at the end. I think once we got the goal, they were happy with the point and in hindsight, a draw was a fair result.”
With centre half Shane Guthrie missing through injury, Mahon gave an update on the player’s condition, and also had a special mention for Dave Mulcahy, his replacement at centre back, who continued his recent goalscoring form.
“Shane will have a scan in the morning. He has a bit of a calf strain, I’m hoping that it won’t be too bad and that he’ll be ok. As regards Dave, he’s been great for us all season, whether he’s played in midfield, at the back or whatever we ask him to do, he’s a great lad. Three goals in two games is great, if he continues like that he’ll be our leading goalscorer very soon.”
Mahon now looks ahead to next week’s big clash against cross city rivals Bohemians. The clash between the first and third placed teams is sure to be an entertaining game, and Mahon promises his side will go to Dalymount Park seeking the three points.
“We’ve played Bohemians three times now this year and it’s been fairly even each time. We’ve had a draw, a defeat in the Setanta Cup final and a win. It’s a big challenge for us going to Dalymount, we know that. It’s important that we recover from this game, it took a lot out of us and Bohs haven’t played since Friday so they’ll be nice and relaxed.”
“We’ll go over there and be very very positive, we don’t fear anybody and won’t be intimidated by anybody or any situation. We’ll give it a good go. We’ll revert back to our 4-4-2 and have a right crack off them.”
