• General

  • Friday April 3rd, 2015 @ 13:07

Team News: Longford Town (A)

St Patrick's Athletic travel to the City Calling Stadium to face Longford Town on Saturday evening as they go in search of their third SSE Airtricity League win in a row (kick-off 7.30pm).

Following last week's victories against Derry City and Limerick, Liam Buckley will be hoping his side can continue their winning run, while Town boss Tony Cousins will be looking to build on his side's first win of the season against Galway United last week.

The most recent meeting of the sides was in Longford last season when the Saints edged Cousins' side 2-1 in the final of the Leinster Senior Cup, the Saints prevailing thanks to goals from Sam Verdon and Jack Bayly.

Speaking to stpatsfc.com ahead of Saturday's game, Saints' boss Liam Buckley spoke of his happiness of the Saints' recent form and pointed to the fact that the players' hard work was being rewarded.

"With two tough games last week, to get through both of them with wins considering there was a small turnaround in time between the games was great, the players deserve great credit for that."

In team news, the Saints are without the services of Killian Brennan who serves a two match suspension, while Jason McGuinness (hamstring) and Brendan Clarke (ankle) remain out through injury. Saints' midfielder Conan Byrne is in line for his 100th appearance for the club if selected on Saturday.

"Longford have shown they are a good side in their start to the league so far, so we know Saturday will be a tough game. The lads have been working well in training this week though so we're lookng forward to the game and hoping to get three points."

For Saints' midfielder Aaron Greene, the Saints' victories last week were a welcome boost as he made his first starts of the season in both games. Speaking to stpatsfc.com, the former Republic of Ireland U21 international admitted that the six points gained had given him and the rest of the squad great confidence.

"We know that we hadn't the greatest start initially in the league so to get two wins under our belts last week was great. After the defeat away to Dundalk a few weeks ago, as players we just wanted to go out and put it right as soon as possible. Therefore to have the Derry and Limerick games come around so quickly was great," Greene admitted.

"I think we showed real grit and determination to get the win in Limerick last week. When they got it back to 2-1, we really dug deep and showed great character and desire to get the result. If we show that hunger every week, we can hopefully move up the table."

On his own good form lately that has seen him score two goals in his last two starts, Greene admitted he was pleased to be back on the pitch following a difficult pre-season that was interrupted through injury. The Dubliner therefore is now looking forward to every game coming around, the next one being Saturday's meeting against Longford.

"Pre-season was pretty tough for me as I'd really worked my socks off during the break doing my own stuff. I then picked up a bit of an ankle injury so that kept me out for a few weeks so I really wasn't fully fit until the very start of the season. Therefore to get back in the team now is great and I'm just buzzing for the next game."

"Longford usually have a good local support at their games so we know it'll be a tough game. I remember last year's Leinster Senior Cup game and they'd good support that night and made it difficult for us. But we got the result that night and know that we'll have our own support there in big numbers on Saturday, so the aim will be to get the result again."

Next Fixture

Drogheda United / March 29th @ 7:45pm
Competition: League
Venue: Weavers Park
 
Team Pld Pts
Shelbourne616
Derry City611
Sligo Rovers69
Waterford FC68
Galway United FC67
Bohemian FC57
Shamrock Rovers56
St Patrick's Athletic66
Drogheda United54
Dundalk52

St Patrick's Athletic FC

Founded in 1929 the 'Saints' are the current FAI Cup holders and play in the Premier Division of the SSE Airtricity League at Richmond Park, in Inchicore Dublin 8, Ireland.

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