St Patrick's Athletic re-sign Robbie Benson & Lee Desmond for 2021

Premier Division European hopefuls St Patrick’s Athletic have re-signed both Robbie Benson and Lee Desmond ahead of the 2021 campaign.

Both players played a key role for the Athletic during an ultimately frustrating 2020 for Stephen O’Donnell’s charges who missed out on European qualification.

However, the Saints have moved to re-sign Benson and Desmond ahead of the 2021 season, just a day after it emerged that John Mountney had joined the club from Dundalk.  

“I’m really happy to get it done,” Benson told his club’s media team. “I’m excited to get going.” He added: “The work that goes in to get us ready on the pitch begins around now.

“I’ve been here a year, but I haven’t really been around the group for an extended period of time yet to build those relationships.

“We had a long break in the mid-season of last year. Even this off-season has been longer so we’re all looking forward to getting back and socialising with each other again in training while having fun and working hard.”

And defender Lee Desmond also noted: “I’m really happy to be back. I’m now heading into my seventh year at the club which is something I didn’t expect to happen when I signed. I’ve enjoyed my time here so far and that’s why I’m back.

“I think the longer you stay somewhere the more of a part of it you become, and you feel at home. I always say it, Pats is a family club and that definitely helps.

“It makes you relax and feel comfortable here and that’s the right conditions you need as a player. Everything is in place and it’s up to you to provide on a Friday night.”