League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Sligo Rovers

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Patrick’s Athletic could close the gap on third-placed Derry City and Bohemians to three points as they welcome Sligo Rovers to Richmond Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm – buy tickets here).

The Saints will look to make it three wins on the bounce following back-to-back wins over Cork City in the league and Bray Wanderers in the FAI Cup last week.

Harry Kenny’s side trailed to a Dean Williams goal against the Seagulls in Inchicore and faced elimination at the first hurdle to the First Division side.

Second-half goals from David Webster and new signing Glen McAuley, however, saw the Athletic set up a second round tie with UCD.

"We are coming into the game off two good wins lately,” Kenny told the club’s media team.

“Last week was a tough game but we slugged it out and got the win. I was happy with the chances we created but we need to look to take more of the chances we create.

"We have had some good games with Sligo already this season and we have done well against them.

“Each game though has been tough and we have had to work hard so the lads know we will have to be in good form on Friday to pick up the points."

Mikey Drennan, Ciaran Kelly and Conor Clifford all miss out with suspension while Chris Forrester is a doubt with an illness, but Kevin Toner and Gary Shaw are fit again.

SLIGO ROVERS

Liam Buckley will see his side move within five points of his former club should they take all three points from his longtime stomping ground of Richmond Park.

The Bit o’ Red are without a win in four league games but, encouragingly, have picked up points in three of those games.

They recorded their biggest-ever FAI Cup win last week as they turned over Leinster Senior League side Glebe North 8-0 in Balbriggan.

David Cawley scored his first-ever senior hat-trick while Kris Twardeck also notched a treble, with Regan Donelan and Dante Leverock also on the scoresheet.

“We have a round of matches to play and we want to be very competitive in them,” Buckley told the club’s official website.

“Firstly there are teams below us trying to get at us and they are winning games regularly. 

“We want to look up as well because there are points to play for and how we finish the year is very important for a number of reasons.

“It was nice to score some goals last week and it always does give you that lift. We’d like to carry that into Friday.

“I know most of the St Pat’s squad from my time there, they’ve done well and have added some new players too recently.

“I’m just concerned with ourselves and getting ourselves up to speed and to a level. It would be good to get the result so we can keep in that mix in that part of the table.

“It’ll be tight without doubt and it’s good to have nearly everyone available from that end.”

Niall Morahan is the only confirmed absentee with a knee injury as Rónán Coughlan returns from a one-game suspension.

Referee: John McLoughlin.

MATCH STATS

The sides have faced off three times so far this season with the Saints taking an impressive seven points from nine against their former manager.

The first meeting at the Showgrounds ended 1-0 to the Saints while they won the first home game 2-1 at Richmond Park.

The most recent league tie at the Showgrounds finished 1-1 as Jack Keaney’s opener was cancelled out by Kevin Toner.

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 4/6; Draw 12/5; Sligo Rovers 4/1.

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 2 – 1 Sligo Rovers

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Chris Forrester (illness).

Suspended: Conor Clifford, Mikey Drennan, Ciaran Kelly.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Niall Morahan (knee).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.