General
- Thursday June 28th, 2018 @ 17:55
TEAM NEWS: Bohemians Vs SAINTS
St Patrick's Athletic return to SSE Airtricity League action with a Dublin derby on Friday night when the Saints face Bohemian FC in Dalymount Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Saints head into the game having picked up four points from a possible six in the two meetings between the sides. The sides drew 2-2 in Richmond Park back in April, while a Dean Clarke goal earned the Saints a 1-0 win in Dalymount at the beginning of March.
In team news, the Saints are boosted by the returns of Thomas Byrne and Kevin Toner from suspension, however Christy Fagan misses out on the game with his former club with a knee injury.
For captain Ian Bermingham, the mid-season break has provided the Saints to recharge the batteries after a hectic first half of the season and the aim is to now push on and climb the table. "We are confident we can get a good run of form going. We kept a lot of clean sheets in games that we won at the start of the season and created a lot of chances. We were confident in those games, and still are confident as we have a good group of lads here and we have a lot of quality," Bermingham told stpatsfc.com.
"Hopefully Our Away Support Can Cheer Us On To Victory" - Captain @IanBermo is calling on a big away crowd as our Super Saints face @bfcdublin at a sunny Dalymount Park tomorrow night, our first game back after the summer break ðŸ"´âšªï¸ÂÂ⚽︠pic.twitter.com/ZSnmJAl5vm
 St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) 28 Meitheamh 2018
"We are hoping to get a result on Friday against Bohemians and hopefully put a run of results together. We are not a million miles away from where we want to be in terms of fighting for European qualification. We have got 13 games left and are just hoping to give it a good bash from now till the end of the season."
The challenge of facing Bohemians is one which Pat's manager Liam Buckley is relishing as the Saints aim to return to winning ways.
"The break was a welcome one for us as we have been able to give the players a much deserved rest and we have a few extra bodies back. This first game back however will be a real challenge as Bohemians have shown some great form over the season to date, and just have been unlucky in not picking up more points. They have several really talented players going forward and will pose us problems," Buckley admitted when speaking to stpatsfc.com.
"Since we have returned from the break, we have been working hard on doing the basics right as when we have managed to do that this season, we have picked up a lot of good results. The players are raring to go for a Dublin derby that is always so competitive, and with the heat and conditions expected, the game will be tough for both sides. From our side of things, we hope that we can come out on top and pick up the three points."
