General
- Thursday March 22nd, 2018 @ 15:14
TEAM NEWS: Saints Vs Limerick (Friday, 7.45pm)
St Patrick's Athletic are back in SSE Airtricity League action when they host Limerick in Richmond Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Saints will be hoping to bounce back from last week's narrow 1-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium, while similarly Limerick will be aiming to recover from their own defeat to the Dublin side last Monday.
Click HERE to purchase your tickets for the Saints vs Limerick on Friday night.
Pat's will have midfielder Jamie Lennon back from an ankle injury for the game, while manager Liam Buckley has expressed his happiness at having Killian Brennan and Thomas Byrne back in full training after recovering from their respective injuries.
"It is great to have a full squad to select from. Jamie Lennon had an ankle issue that has cleared up and he has been a great addition to our team this year. Having Killian Brennan back on the training pitch is a huge boost to us given his experience and influence. Both Killian and Thomas Byrne missed all pre-season, so it is great to have them both back in the mix."
New signing Tyson Farago from Edmonton FC is also hoping to receive international clearance ahead of the game, which would see the 26 year old Canadian in line to make his debut if selected. Speaking to stpatsfc.com about the addition of the goalkeeper, Buckley believes Farago will prove to be good competition for both Barry Murphy and Brian Maher.
"We are delighted to have Tyson join the club as he had other options available. He is a player we were aware of having also signed Jake Keegan from Edmonton. He is a good build for a keeper at over six foot tall, and he would have played with Chris Konopka who I had at Sporting Fingal too. His addition will create more competition for the goalie jersey and that will push everyone on."
Outlining the threats Limerick will pose his side, Buckley admitted that he is expecting a difficult test from Tommy Barrett's side.
"Limerick have made a steady start to the league. They have had some very impressive results, including a draw against Cork City only last week. We know they have several experienced players in their ranks including a few who have played with ourselves so we will face a tough game on Friday night.
"Our performances at home have been steady so far so we are looking to make Richmond a fortress this season and make it as difficult as possible for teams coming to Inchicore. Our supporters have been great and really got behind us in our recent games. We will be looking for that again on Friday, and hopefully we can send them home happy with a win."
For midfielder Ryan Brennan, the target on Friday against Limerick is simply to recover from last week's Dublin derby defeat with a win.
"It's important to bounce back with a good performance. Any time as players that you lose, you always feel that onus on you to get back with a positive result so that means three points on Friday against Limerick.
"We were disappointed with aspects of our game last week. We never got playing the way we wanted and while defensively we were good, we still lost the game to a goal which, as a collective group, we were disappointed to concede. We've to cut that out as a few scrappy goals have cost us a few points this season."
With Liam Buckley having a full squad to select from, Brennan admitted that the competition for places has hottened up as he now has to compete for a starting spot with brother Killian, as well as fellow Drogheda native Thomas Byrne.
"Having competition for places is key to keeping players on their toes. Look at all the top teams in any league, the pressure to maintain your performances and form can only be good for the players as it demands that we work hard and maintain that hunger to do well. We have just added a new goalkeeper as well so our three keepers now have to all fight it out for a place," Ryan told stpatsfc.com.
"We have an awful lot of games coming up as well between the league and cups, so we need everyone in top form if we're to get through that period and start to climb the table."
