- Andrew Dempsey
- Mon, Oct 23 2023
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
St Patrick’s Athletic manager Jon Daly wants his side to seal a European spot for next season when they host Sligo Rovers at Richmond Park on Monday night (kick-off is at 7.30pm).
The Athletic sit on 59 points and need just two more points to secure a top-four finish. And fourth-place will be enough to secure a return to the Europa Conference League with the Saints set to face Bohemians in the FAI Cup final next month.
So that means a win over Sligo on Monday night would seal the deal.
“We know everything that's up for grabs,” Daly told his club’s media team. “We have Sligo on Monday and Shamrock Rovers on Friday.
“They are two big games for us with six points up for grabs.
“Hopefully we're going to come out with maximum points if possible and give ourselves the best chance of finishing in the European spots.
“Having home advantage is massive. The crowd here at Richmond have been very good and supported us in good numbers and we're looking forward to the last home games of the season.”
Axel Sjoberg, Harry Brockbank and Tom Grivosti are all out for St Pat’s.
SLIGO ROVERS
John Russell has called on his struggling Sligo Rovers to bounce back from Friday’s dismal 2-0 defeat at home to Dundalk when they visit Dublin 8 on Monday night.
The Bit O’Red sit in eighth place and are just six points ahead of ninth-placed Cork City in the battle to avoid the dreaded relegation play-off spot.
But Rovers have a game in hand on City and know that just four more points will see them ensure safety if Cork win all three of their remaining games against Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians.
“We’re delighted to have a game first and foremost because we have to try and put things right from Friday night,” Russell said.
“It wasn’t acceptable. We were second best, we lacked energy and intensity.
“Maximum desire, working hard and doing the basics at every opportunity is what we look for.
“We didn’t see that throughout the team. We will pick a team for these final three games based on those characteristics.
“We’ve done well in games with St Pat’s this season. We’ve shown our quality in two wins we have had. It’s extremely important we show it in these final games.”
Reece Hutchinson (knee), Robbie Burton (suspended) and Greg Bolger (suspended) miss out for Sligo.
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.
PREDICTION
St Patrick’s Athletic 3-0 Sligo Rovers
MATCH STATS
St Patrick’s Athletic have won just two of their last seven league games against Sligo Rovers with one coming at Richmond Park. That came in August 2022 when the Saints ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Serge Atakayi goal.
Sligo won the last meeting of the two at Richmond Park in May, winning 1-0 - and that was their last away league win this season. John Russell’s side have picked up just 12 points on their travels from 16 games.
Jon Daly’s men have picked up a league high 20 points from their last ten fixtures. Rovers have picked up 10 during that same period of games.
St Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Axel Sjoberg, Tom Grivosti, Harry Brockbank.
Doubtful:None.
Suspended: None.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Gary Boylan, Mark Byrne, Reece Hutchinson.
Doubtful:None.
Suspended: Greg Bolger, Robbie Burton,
