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  • Thursday August 13th, 2015 @ 15:04

Team News: Saints Vs Bray Wanderers (Friday, 7.45pm, Richmond Park)

St Patrick's Athletic host Bray Wanderers on Friday night in Inchicore as the Saints look to maintain their recent good run of form in the SSE Airtricity League, kick-off in Richmond Park is 7.45pm.

Both the Saints and the Seagulls enter the game off the back of good victories last week, Bray recording a 1-0 win at home to Drogheda United, while the Saints defeated local rivals Shamrock Rovers 2-0 thanks to goals from Chris Forrester and Morgan Langley.



With the Saints entering a busy period of fixtures with an away game against Dundalk to come, Saints' manager Liam Buckley told stpatsfc.com of the importance that his side take each game on its own merit and focus game by game.

"I was thrilled with last week's win as with the great support we got, it was really pleasing to see that we put in a good performance and got the three points for everyone at the club; players, staff and supporters. We're on a good run so it's all about approaching the next game and preparing for it properly."

"Bray were very good last week against Drogheda and are on a good run of form themselves so Friday will be a tough game. Mick Cooke is doing well since he's come in so we need to apply ourselves properly and look to put the same performance or better than last Friday against Rovers."

In team news, Buckley confirmed that Christy Fagan remains unavailable through injury, however the striker has stepped up his recovery and the manager is hopeful that the 2014 top-scorer is close to a return. Ian Bermingham sits out the game as he serves a one match ban, while Kenny Browne faces a late fitness test after suffering a groin injury in last week's win over Shamrock Rovers.

Having missed the Dublin derby win, both Shane McEleney (suspension) and Greg Bolger (dead leg) return to the Saints' squad, while Sean Hoare is also available having overcome a hamstring injury.

For Saints' Republic of Ireland U21 international Lee Desmond, playing a part in the Saints' best ever run of consecutive league wins in one season has been a great experience, with the defender outlining that the Pat's squad are determined to keep the good run of form going.

"Training has been really good the past few weeks as the confidence levels are high with the winning run we're on. Everyone has played a part in the run so we all want to just keep it going with a result against Bray on Friday," Desmond told stpatsfc.com.

However while Desmond and the Saints are hopeful of a win, they are fully aware of the challenge ahead with Bray having won five of their last six league games and having recorded a 1-0 win in the last league meeting between the side back in May.

"That wasn't a good day for us," Desmond admitted when recalling the defeat the Saints' suffered in the Carlisle Grounds. "We didn't play well that day and got punished for it when they scored. We know what they can do to us if given the chance and with the run of form they are on themselves, it'll be a very tough game."

"We know we have to get things right from the start, so if we can start the game well and get in front, hopefully we can get the three points."

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.

Contact Us

125 Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8, D08 E0Y7, Ireland

(+353) 1 454 6332
(+353) 1 454 6211