St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Galway United

• Eoin Manning
• Fri, Jul 10 2009


When Jeff Kenna swapped Galway United for the heady heights and bright lights of last season’s second placed St.Patrick’s Athletic the last thing he expected was a lower mid-table dogfight to ensue with his former employers.

Not to mention a personal battle that reads played two, lost two but that is exactly what Friday night’s League of Ireland Premier Division encounter at Richmond Park represents (Kick Off: 7:45 PM).

Though Pat’s have been struck down by more injuries and unnecessary suspensions than Kenna could have ever imagined, he openly admits that it has been a tougher job than he first realised when he took the position. In stark contrast, his number two at Galway, Ian Foster, knew he had an almighty job on his hands and has impressed many with just how well he has done in his maiden season in management.

Kenna has tried to concentrate on the job in hand and not on settling scores: “Galway United is simply our next game and we need to keep building consistent performances.” but has by no means forgotten about the drubbing his side were handed on the opening day of the season: “For the first Galway game at Richmond (0-3) we were too open, we were hit badly on the break and we caused a lot of our own problems that night” or the return fixture at Terryland Park for that matter:” the second game in Galway (2-1) was a far more even contest. Obviously it would be good to beat them and redress the results but I’m not looking at it like that.” revealed a characteristically diplomatic Pat’s manager.

Foster, for his part, has been left to bemoan the crippling injury list which has of course coincided with his team’s downturn in fortunes: “The chopping and changing that we didn’t have in the first round of nine games cost us in the second round of nine games. Our squad’s not massive and it’s been stretched right to its capabilities” he advised last week before sending out a signal of intent for Friday night’s clash:“But hopefully we’ll get players back now this week and maybe almost be at full strength going down to St Pat's.”

Pat’s injury list is never dull reading and they are this week again without Mark Quigley (jaw), Gints Friemanis (hand), Mark Leech (leg) and Gary Dempsey (leg). However Glen Fitzpatrick is expected to again be available while Damian Lynch and John Lester return from injury and suspension respectively.

News is slightly more cheery for the travelling supporters as Sean Kelly, Alan Murphy and Shane Fitzgerald all make the squad though the game comes too soon for Pat’s ex-winger Derek O’Brien who scored twice on the opening day fixture having been released by Kenna in the close season. This could also be Jay O’Shea’s last game for United as interest from England is gathering momentum.

Pat’s results have inevitably improved as the season has progressed as United’s have somewhat deteriorated and Pat’s again have to made favourites for the tie but then again they were favourites for the last two as well.

Will Kenna dare risking a third straight defeat to his old club by resting players ahead of their Europa League encounter?

Extratime.ie Prediction: Pat’s to win 2:1