General
- Friday September 18th, 2015 @ 15:45
EA Sports Cup Final Preview: Galway United Vs St Patrick's Athletic
St Patrick's Athletic will be hoping to lift the EA Sports Cup tomorrow evening as they face Galway United in the EA Sports Cup final in Eamonn Deacy Park, kick-off 6.05pm (LIVE on Setanta Ireland).
The Saints will be aiming to win the trophy for the third time in the club's history having won the trophy back in 2001 and 2003, while Saints' manager Liam Buckley will be aiming to win the one trophy that has eluded him in his time as manager of the Supersaints.
For their part, the Tribesmen will be looking to win the EA Sports Cup in front of their home support and win what would be their third success ever in the competition.
Speaking to stpatsfc.com ahead of the game, Saints' manager Liam Buckley confirmed that training all week had been competitive amongst the players with everyone looking to play in the final.
"The lads have had a bit of a rest there with no match at the weekend so when we got back in at the start of the week, training has been good as we prepare for the match. For any final, everyone wants to play so the players have put their hands up this week as we look to get over the line on Saturday."
On facing Tommy Dunne's side in Eamonn Deacy Park, Buckley admitted that he was expecting the Tribesmen to prove to be tough opponents for the Saints.
"We've played Galway twice this year and we've had two games that we've really been tested in, so the players are under no illusions that we're going into a really tough game."
In team news, Buckley had mixed news to report as he is without the services of Saints' defender Ian Bermingham (suspension), goalkeeper Brendan Clarke (broken finger) and Shane McEleney (cup-tied). However in positive news, the Saints' manager has been boosted by the returns of Christy Fagan and Ian Morris following their recent injury lay-offs.
Ahead of his first final at senior level, Saints' defender Lee Desmond admitted he was looking forward to the EA Sports Cup final and facing Galway. "I've played in cup finals at DDSL level when I was younger with Cherry Orchard, but this is my first at senior level so I'm really looking forward to it now. It will be a tough game as we've had two tough games against Galway this year where we got nothing easy."
"I played four times against Galway last year for Shelbourne so I know how difficult it will be," Desmond told stpatsfc.com. "We've gone well in training this week, and while results haven't been good lately, it's a cup final so it's all about on the day and which side performs the best. We're looking forward to it and know it'll be a great atmosphere at the game."
2015 EA Sports Cup Final:
Galway United vs St Patrick's Athletic
Eamonn Deacy Park, Kick-off 6.05pm
