U19 Enda McGuill Cup Final Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Bohemians

• Brendan Graham
• Tue, Sep 04 2018




It’s a busy start to the week for the staff at Richmond Park as the Inchicore ground is set to host its second game in two days.

Monday night saw the Saints' senior team reach the Leinster Senior Cup final with a 1-0 win over Dundalk after extra time.

And Tuesday sees the under-19 Enda McGuill cup final take place between Dublin rivals St. Pats and Bohs (kick-off 7.30pm).

These sides are well-acquainted having played out last year’s league final, with Bohemians recording a narrow 1-0 victory and be crowned champions for 2017.

The Saints will be confident of claiming victory in this year’s showpiece as they currently sit top of the under-19 National League, six points clear of tonight’s visitors.

The Athletic beat the Gypsies in their league meeting already this season and will enjoy home advantage too.

"We've only played St Pat's once this season and they've beaten us,” said Bohemians head coach Craig Sexton ahead of the fixture.

“they're six points ahead of us in the division and they're at home. It's a final, a one-off game so anything can happen. We will be going there determined and focused."

It's been an eventful day for the Phibsboro side with Sexton’s side this afternoon being drawn to play against FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Youth League in the coming weeks.

St Pat’s are expecting a tough game against their Dublin rivals with very little separating the two sides in recent years.

Although the most recent fixture ended 3-1 to Pats, it was two goals in the last seven minutes that gave them the win with both sides knowing each other very well at this stage.

"It's going to be a difficult final,” said St. Pats defender Luke McNally.

“Every game we play with Bohs has been tough over the last few years and I'm expecting tomorrow to be no different.

"We've had a good season so far so we must take our form into tomorrow night. Obviously, being at home, it might give us that extra edge but we're ready."