2018 Season Preview - St Patrick's Athletic

Manager:  Liam Buckley

Stadium: Richmond Park (5,340)

Players in: Ryan Brennan (Bray Wanderers), Dean Clarke (Limerick), Thomas Byrne (Drogheda United), Simon Madden (Shamrock Rovers), James Doona (Shamrock Rovers), Kevin Toner (Aston Villa), Mick Leahy (Sligo Rovers), Jake Keegan (FC Edmonton)

Players out: Josh O’Hanlon (Cork City), JJ Luney (Bohemians), Gavin Peers (Derry City), Kurtis Byrne (Linfield), Jordi Balk (Lienden), Ciaran Kelly (Drogheda United), Rory Feely (Waterford FC), Paul O’Conor (Bray Wanderers), Billy Dennehy (Limerick FC), Eric Donnelly (Bray Wanderers), Darren Dennehy (Limerick FC)

Extratime.ie Key Man: Conan Byrne

With Pat’s struggling to stay in the division last season, club legend Byrne stepped up to steady the ship. The right winger produced some mesmerising performances for the Saints in an otherwise hugely disappointing campaign for the Inchicore outfit.

Not only did he provide endless assists throughout the season he also weighed in with 9 league goals making him the clubs second highest scorer for 2017.

Liam Buckley will again look to the veteran to help Pat’s push on from the frustration of last year.  Now 32, Byrne will be an integral part of his new look side and the younger players will be turning to him for inspiration.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Kevin Toner

The Meath man returns home after six years in English football. He will replace Jordi Balk at the heart of the Pat’s defence after the fans favourite opted to return to his native Holland in the off season.

Toner made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa in April 2016 and featured four times in total at the end of that season. After various loan spells in the lower leagues, the Ashbourne native has decided to rebuild his career in the League of Ireland.

This is a major signing by Liam Buckley who fought off competition from fierce rivals Shamrock Rovers to secure the former Ireland under-21 internationals signature.  

How they did last season:

League: 8^th

With three teams being relegated and Liam Buckley having a much smaller budget to work with than the previous season Pat’s were expected to struggle last season. And struggle they did.

The Saint’s form was poor from the off, losing their opening fixture at home to Bray Wanderers. In fact it took them until the sixth game to register their first victory of the season, finally managing to up their game with a derby win over Shamrock Rovers. They mustered only three wins before the July break leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Owner Garrett Kelleher loosened the purse strings in the transfer window, sanctioning the transfers of Killian Brennan, Owen Garvan and Jordi Balk. All three made an instant impact and were instrumental in preserving their Premier Division status.

Pat’s lost only three games in the second half of the season, claiming 22 points from a possible 39, including a pulsating final home game of the season against Cork City. The champions elect led 2-0 inside the opening twenty minutes before Buckley’s men stormed back to claim a memorable 4-2 win to all but guarantee survival.   

FAI Cup: 2^nd Round.

St Pat’s excited the cup at the second round after a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Galway United ending their hopes of claiming some silverware in 2017.

EA Sports Cup: Quarter Final

Entering the competition as holders they were hoping for more success but fell to a 2-0 quarter final defeat to Cork City at Turners Cross.

What to expect this season:

The Inchicore faithful can expect a huge improvement on last season’s relegation battle.

Having retained the majority of his key players, Liam Buckley has added the likes of Simon Madden and Mick Leahy to his defence. Jordi Balk’s departure was a big blow but he has since been replaced with Kevin Toner.

Buckley has also strengthened in midfield, signing exciting young winger Thomas Byrne from Drogheda United and securing the signatures of Ryan Brennan and James Donna from Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers respectively.  

Christy Fagan struggled to find his best form in front of goal last season managing only 7 league goals. The 28 year old is now entering the prime of his career and will be supported by new attacking signing Jake Keegan who returns to the league after a two year spell in America with NASL side FC Edmonton.

In summary, Pat’s have recruited well and have added strength and depth to their squad. They will be hoping for a top 6 finish and I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of them challenging for a European position. 

Title Odds: 20/1

First game: Vs Cork City (H) 16^th February 2018.

St Pat’s welcome champions Cork City to Richmond Park on the opening day of the season.