‘I prefer the Stone Roses' – Stephen Kenny jokes about Bohemians' Oasis collaboration ahead of derby clash
But the St Pat's supremo knows This is the One where his St Pat's side must turn things around.
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Kenny's Pat's currently sit six points behind rivals Bohs having played two more games
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Bohemians released the Oasis collaboration jersey on Tuesday and it has split opinions
Credit: bohemians.ie
Kenny's Saints host Bohemians at Richmond Park tonight with their rivals set to play for the first time in their
'But Stones Roses are better. I'm much more influenced by the Stone Roses than Oasis. But Oasis are good, they're OK, but I prefer the Stone Roses.'
The former Ireland manager, 53, understands his side need to stop producing the Fool's Gold of good performances with mixed results.
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And he hopes tonight can be the springboard for a Resurrection of their league form.
Kenny's band of brothers went into the summer break fourth and a point off second but they are now sixth, six points off second, and having played two games more. It leaves their season on a Tightrope.
And it is a case of Ste Bangs the Drums on the need to change that.
Kenny reasoned: 'We just had a hugely, hugely disappointing two-week period.
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'We ended up taking two points from five games, which was inconceivable at that time. So it's been a bad two weeks for us, the minimum we probably deserved was eight points.
'It's one of those intense periods in the season — five games in two weeks, I've always looked at those as opportunities.
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'But it's had the opposite effect on us. We've found ourselves dropping down the table. We definitely know we could do with three points, for sure.'
And crucial to that is their front men getting back among the goals as the Saints have netted just once in five games.
Defender Seán Hoare added: 'When you are not scoring goals it only takes one to beat you. I feel like we do play the most exciting football in the league.
"We play attacking football and at times we're open defensively but so be it, you want to excite people.
'But before the last four games, we were probably top scorers in the league. You feel like that has to flip around again soon.
'I just feel like it will click for us going forward. Somebody is going to get a high-scoring game off us when it does click for us.'
Kenny added: 'We've actually scored the same number of goals as Bohemians, scored the same as
'It's just this little barren period that cost us, over the course of the season we've let in more goals than we would have wanted.
'I understand there has been a formula, low blocks, five-man defences . . . stifle our dribblers. That's something that we've had to adjust to and we haven't adjusted well enough.
'We're not making excuses, I'm just explaining that other teams have found ways of stifling us and we have to be more adaptable.'
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I had good conversations' – Ole Gunnar Solksjaer drops Ireland bombshell & pays tribute to St Pat's star Mason Melia
BESIKTAS boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that he held serious conversations about succeeding Stephen Kenny as Ireland manager. But he insisted that tomorrow's meeting with Kenny's St Patrick's Athletic is not about the men in the dugouts, but about stars like the Saints' Mason Melia. 2 Ole Gunnar Solksjaer confirmed he held talks with the FAI over the Ireland job Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 He was one of a number of names linked with succeeding Stephen Kenny Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Former Manchester United legend Solskjaer took charge of Besiktas earlier this year in what was his first job since his departure from Old Trafford in 2021. But he was one of the leading contenders to replace Kenny last year before Heimir Hallgrímsson's appointment, as Solskjaer confirmed there were detailed talks. He said: 'The Irish FA asked me if I wanted to be their coach. I had some good conversations but in the end it didn't turn out that way, I am happy where I am now.' But the 52-year-old Norwegian admitted that drawing St Pat's in the Conference League has meant he has followed Irish football closely. And he believes Ireland have a star on their hands in Melia, who will leave St Pat's for Tottenham Hotspur in a £2 million deal in January. Solskjaer added: 'They have a young striker that is very exciting. That might be the next one, the young lad coming through, Tottenham have made a good signing. 'When you perform at that level at 17…we see his movement, his goal against Waterford (on Sunday), the way he spun on a centre back timed his run…. 'I don't want to put pressure on him. I always follow young players, when you see young players, you follow their careers. 'He reminds me of a proper No. 9, he can play off the shoulder, or come short as well, he's a good finisher as well. 'He's got the world ahead of him. I wish him all the best after eight or nine days from now (and the second leg of the tie in Istanbul).' Inside the story of the ex-Man Utd wonderkid who retired in non-league that now helps clubs find the next gen of talent Solskjaer insisted that Besiktas - who are under pressure this week after being eliminated from the Europa League by Shakhtar Donetsk - do not view St Pat's as an easy tie. He added: 'If you think we think we are better than them, you're wrong. We respect absolutely every opponent. 'I'm sure they want to win, expect to win. Last year, they (St Pat's) got one step further than this. 'We are ready for a difficult game, we know last year (they faced) Basaksehir and drew 0-0, we know we have a fight, a team that has found form, and is playing defensively really well. 'We know a bit about them, they played Molde earlier this year and Ryan McLaughlin, he played for my assistant Mike Marsh when he was younger (at Liverpool). 'And Joe Anang, my goalkeeping coach worked with him. So we know a bit more about them than normal scouting. 'I wouldn't call anything a free hit in football anymore.'
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Ole Gunnar Solskjær confirms he was approached by FAI to take Ireland job
Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has revealed he was approached by the FAI to replace Stephen Kenny as the Republic of Ireland head coach. Solskjær, speaking ahead of the Turkish club's Uefa Conference League qualifier against the Kenny-managed St Patrick's Athletic at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night, confirmed that discussions occurred during the Association's calamitous 231-day search. Heimir Hallgrímsson eventually accepted the role in July 2024 on an 18-month contract. 'We had some good conversations,' said Solskjær, 'but in the end it did not turn out that way. READ MORE 'I am very happy where I am now.' When pressed for details on his dealings with the FAI's former chief football officer Marc Canham, the former Manchester United manager added: 'That was confidential.' A comedic moment followed at the pre-match press conference, as the diligent but confused Turkish translator needed Solskjær to explain what had just happened: 'Who is Stephen Kay-ney?' 'Stephen Kenny is the coach of St Patrick's,' the Norwegian quietly explained. 'He was the coach of Ireland before and, after him, the Irish FA asked me if I wanted to be their coach.' Diplomacy in motion, Solskjær had strolled into the Tallaght Stadium press room 15 minutes ahead of time and made himself a cup of tea before hailing the burgeoning talent of Mason Melia . None of this bodes well for St Pat's. Solskjær and Besiktas have done their homework following the Saints' 0-0 result last season against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Conference League playoff. Also, crucially, there are reports of Roberto Mancini being parachuted into the Besiktas hot-seat after a 6-2 aggregate defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk saw them drop from the Europa League to the Conference League. Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær signs a shirt for Adam McGill at Tallaght Stadium. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'We are ready for a difficult game,' said Solskjær. 'We know from 0-0 against Basaksehir that we will have to fight. We know that St Patrick's have found form. 'They have a young striker who is really exciting. I am sure you all have the same thoughts that I have about him. The next one. The young lad coming through. I think Tottenham have made a good signing. We know we need to watch him.' With 91 goals from 235 appearances in the Premier League, the 52-year-old coach (he looks 35) was best placed to answer the next question: Does Mason Melia possess the tools to make it at Spurs? 'When you perform at this level at 17, definitely. You see a mature finisher. His movement, the goal he scored against Waterford, the way he spun off the centre back, the way he timed his run, of course. 'I don't want to put too much pressure on him. I always follow the young players when I see them early in their careers. There are a few decent players I played with from Ireland so I have a fond eye for Irish players.' A slim, skilful centre forward, does Melia remind the Norwegian of anyone? 'Well, he is a proper number nine. He can play off the shoulder. He is very good at link-up play and coming short. Good finisher. He has the world ahead of him. I am sure he will have a very good career. Eight, nine days from now I wish him all the best.' Again, the fact that Besiktas have already reviewed the 2-0 win in Waterford last Sunday doesn't bode well for St Pat's hopes of a generational upset. 'A centre forward who is lively, with very good movement, wide men who are very tricky with quick feet,' Ole added. 'You know they are very good at counterattacks and defensively solid. 'Stephen's record speaks for itself, he will be true to himself, he like his teams to play. I'm probably the same. 'Actually, Ryan McLaughlin he played for Mike Marsh, one of my assistants, and Joseph Anang played for my goalkeeper coach, so we know a bit more than the normal scouting.' Bad news for St Pat's perhaps, very bad news with a second leg in Istanbul to follow.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he could have been Ireland manager after Stephen Kenny
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that he could have succeeded Stephen Kenny as Ireland boss. The two managers go head-to-head at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night when St Pat's host Turkish giants Besiktas in the Europa Conference League third qualifying round. Manchester United legend Solskjaer was briefly linked with the vacant Ireland job last year, following Kenny's departure. At the time, the Norwegian played down the links and the FAI ended up appointing Heimir Hallgrimsson as Kenny's successor in July 2024. But on Wednesday evening, Solskjaer confirmed he was in talks about the job. Besiktas boss Solskjaer said: "Yeah, I had some good conversations. But in the end it didn't turn out that way and I'm happy where I am now.' Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Asked how far the discussions went with the FAI, he said: 'That would be confidential. We had some good chats. After him (Kenny), the Irish FA asked me if I wanted to be their coach.' Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Tallaght Stadium ahead of St Pat's v Besiktas (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) Solskjaer took charge of Besiktas in January this year, but he is under fire following the recent 6-2 aggregate Europa League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk. 'Pressure is a privilege, it's something we thrive on,' said Solskjaer ahead of Thursday's game with 7,000 tickets sold as of Wednesday evening, and heading towards a sellout. 'We need it to play at our best. When results go against you, you don't enjoy that period but it's a chance to show character, show individual character. 'It's a bumpy road football, and you have to manoeuvre it and accept it. If you don't get results, there will be criticism, if you win every day you are still not perfect. 'We're in all these competitions to win every single game and we want to go as far in this one, to the final, that is our dream.' St Pat's boss Stephen Kenny knows his side are big outsiders to progress over two legs and reach the playoffs. Today, ex-Ireland boss Kenny said: 'It would be one of the great victories in Irish football history if we could do it. But obviously it's a big challenge and Beşiktaş have a tremendous tradition and are an institution in Turkey, a big club.' Yet Solskjaer is just as wary of St Pat's, and not least having held their Turkish league rivals Istanbul Basaksehir to a scoreless draw here in Europe last summer. 'If you think we think we are better than them, you're wrong,' he said in Tallaght last night. 'We respect absolutely every opponent, I'm sure they want to win, expect to win. 'Last year they got one step further than this, so I wouldn't call anything a free hit in football anymore.' And former Red Devils striker Solskjaer is up to speed on the threat that teenage striker Mason Melia - who is joining Tottenham in January - possesses. 'When you perform at that level at 17, of course (you notice). We see his movement, his goal against Waterford, the way he spun off a centre back and timed his run,' he added. 'I don't want to put pressure on him, but I always follow young players. I've got a few decent players from Ireland that I played with, so I'm fond of Irish players. 'But he reminds me of a proper No. 9. He can play off the shoulder, he likes to come short as well and he's a good finisher. He's got the world ahead of ahead of him and I wish him all the best, but after the next eight or nine days!.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
