St Patrick's Athletic -v- Sligo Rovers

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Sun, Oct 13 2013




ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Pats can clinch the 2013 Airtricity League title with a victory over reigning champions Sligo Rovers on Sunday evening in a game that is set to be broadcast live on RTE 2. (Kick Off 17.15)

 

The game is expected to be a sell out with many other League Of Ireland fans expected to watch the game on TV. The home sides skipper Conor Kenna spoke to The Saints official website ahead of the game.

 

"It’s a great turnaround.  Obviously last year we went to the Showgrounds and needed to win to have any chance of winning the league. This year it is must win for them, so there’s a lot more pressure on Sligo to get the points this time round.  Hopefully this year there’ll be a reversal of fortune and we can be the ones to get the win,”

 

Liam Buckley has a fully fit squad to pick from as the suspensions and injuries they have had to deal with over the last number of weeks seem to be a thing of the past. Unsurprisingly with Pats recent good form the Saints fans have really rallied and got behind their team much to the delight of Liam Buckley.

 

"Sunday’s game promises to be a really great occasion in Inchicore, and I can assure everyone that it is one that both the player’s and staff are all really looking forward to,”
 

“Seeing Richmond Park packed to the rafters recently and the huge numbers last week out in UCD, is something that we’ve all really been grateful for during some of the games this season.  We’re all hoping again to see another great crowd getting behind us from the first whistle to the last.” 


“In terms of this weekend against Sligo, we’ll be looking for the same professional performance from the players that they produced against UCD last week. Training has been good all week and the lads have worked really hard, so please God that effort over the week will be rewarded and see us get the three points.” 

 

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo head into this game knowing that they must win in order to keep their faint hopes of retaining the league title alive. A trip to Richmond Park is a daunting task for any team these days but with a near capacity crowd expected the atmosphere in Inchicore will be brimmed to boiling point.

 

Ian Baraclough is set to be buoyed by the news that he will also have a full squad to choose from for Sunday evening's trip to the capital.

 

While Sligo now must wait and hope that Pats slip up over the next two weeks they can control what happens on Sunday. This is a point Baraclough has been keen to get across to his players over the past week in the build up to this big game.

 

"We have to give everything. Every piece of energy and every ounce of effort must be left on the pitch. We can't afford anything less. If we take care of that and focus on our strengths we should beat any team in this league I feel."

 

"The squad is at the most powerful it has been all season. We feel we are still in this race and our intention is to keep it that way."

 

MATCH FACTS

The two games  between these sides this season have resulted in Pats walking away with 4 points.

 

Brendan Clarke is set to make his 100th appearance in all completions for the club.

 

The Bit o Red are currently unbeaten in 9 games having won seven matches during that streak.

 

BETTING

St Patrick's Athletic 23/10 Draw 11/15 Sligo Rovers 12/5

 

PREDICTION

Pats roared on by a massive home crowd to win out 2-1.

 

St Patrick's Athletic

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None