Latest news with #STPAT'S
The Irish Sun
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
St Patrick's Athletic boss Stephen Kenny hails unlikely full-back duo for European showing
ST PAT'S players joke that, in Ryan McLaughlin, they have a full-back who taught Trent Alexander- Arnold all he knows. Whatever about that, 2 Jason McClelland of St Patrick's Athletic was hailed by his boss Stephen Kenny for his intelligence 2 The Pat's boss also singled out Ryan McLaughlin for his quality in the Euro clash The pair both played their part in He said: 'Ryan and Jason didn't start any of the European games last year and they're in the positions now. They've both performed really well. 'You see the passing touchline to touchline, Ryan to Jason and then Jason played one back. You don't see that much in matches, those touchline to touchline passes from full-backs. 'Ryan has that in his locker. The in-joke in the group is that he showed Trent how to do it.' read more on football Former Northern Ireland international McLaughlin spent five years at Liverpool but did not make a first-team appearance before leaving in 2016. That was the year Alexander-Arnold made his first-team debut for the Reds, with the England star joining Real Madrid this summer after 20 years attached to his hometown club. McClelland is in his sixth season at St Pat's with his outings in the league split almost equally between starts — 61 — and outings as a substitute — 63. And Kenny remarked that, on occasion, he has not even made the bench but shown resilience and perseverance to play his part. Most read in Football The former Ireland boss said: 'He hasn't always actually been in the squad, he's been in the stand in the past, not just with me. 'Certainly he's had to bide his time and he's just having a run of form and his innate football intelligence is incredible. Marcus Rashford back together with ex-fiancee Lucia Loi two years after they split as childhood sweetheart joins him in Barcelona 'And I suppose he's worked on other aspects of his game which weren't his strongest points where you might get exposed as a left-back, your one-on-one defending and your heading and things like that. "He's got much better at those facets of the game and his distribution is very inventive. 'It is a competitive area for us. Anto Breslin has never let us down, he's always been a terrific full-back at the club. 'We probably wouldn't have factored in at the start of the season Jason playing at left-back but that's the way it's worked out and when people take their opportunity you have to reward that.' But Kenny is not prepared to pigeon-hole the former UCD star, particularly because he might be needed in other areas. Kenny said: 'With Zack Eelbouzedi getting injured, we lost a wide player and Jason has played there as well so we've got to look at a lot of stuff. 'But definitely when the game is in front of him he can see great pictures and has the technical ability to execute really intelligent passes and crosses. He's a very intelligent player. 'The physicality maybe wasn't his strongest point but he has adapted to that and really added that to his game to help him play there.' Despite being in and out of the team, Kenny does not believe McClelland was ever close to leaving and praised how he ensured he kept himself in shape. Kenny said: 'I don't think so. He was out of contract last season. I made it clear to him that I wanted him to stay. 'His versatility is important, he's played central midfield this year a good few times and he's played on the left. 'Even when he's not in the team, he's super fit and that's a challenge because players find it hard, when they're not in the team, to stay at the level, they get demoralised. 'He's had that level of professionalism to stay at the level needed whenever needed and that's testament to his character.' Opportunities in midfield came in part, because of Chris Forrester — Thursday's goal hero after he came off the bench — being sidelined for a total of almost two months. And Kenny admitted the fan favourite had work to do to get back into the starting XI. He said: 'He's had a few weeks' training and is coming on so definitely he comes into our thoughts but Jamie Lennon and Barry Baggley have been very good.
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
St Patrick's Athletic eye Conference League glamour tie with Champions League regulars if they can overcome Nomme Kalju
ST PAT'S will have a glamour tie against either Besiktas or Shakhtar Donetsk if they further progress in the Conference League. Advertisement 2 St Patrick's Athletic overcame FC Hegelmann in the UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round 2 Stephen Kenny's side now face Nomme Kalju of Estonia - and a big money tie awaits if they can win They have already disposed of Besiktas are managed by former If the Saints got the toughest potential draw, then Dublin rivals Shelbourne and In the same competition, Rovers would face Ballkani of Kosovo or Malta's Floriana if they can overcome St Joseph's of Gibraltar. Advertisement read more on football Three years ago, Stephen Bradley's side comfortably dealt with another Maltese side, Hibernians, winning 3-0 on aggregate. If Shels progress in the Champions League, they would pit their wits against FCSB of Romania or Macedonia's KF Shkëndija. But if they are knocked out by Qarabag, they will drop down to the Europa League where they would face either HNK Rijeka of Croatia or Ludogorets. The Bulgarian side beat Rovers 4-2 on aggregate in the Champions League in 2022. Advertisement Most read in Football Roma fans mob and serenade Ireland star Evan Ferguson at airport ahead of loan move from Brighton
The Irish Sun
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Deflected strike provides Shelbourne with badly needed win against similarly underwhelming St Pat's
ST PAT'S suffered their first home defeat in 12 months as Shelbourne drew level with them on points. Ali Coote's deflected 10th minute shot was enough to claim the points with the home side better after the break but lacking the guile to find an equaliser. Advertisement 2 Shelbourne's players were delighted to get back to winning ways 2 But for Stephen Kenny it was another frustrating evening It ended a run of 22 matches - 17 in the league - without a home loss since Dundalk won here on June 3 last year. Neither side came into this game in particularly good form, both collecting five points from their previous four matches. It could be argued that both had raised expectations to unreasonable levels last season, Shels by winning the league and St Pat's by ending the campaign with nine straight wins. But, whether fair or not, there has been an air of disgruntlement around both teams, but more so with St Pat's. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football With two managers looking for a reaction, Damien Duff looked the more likely to obtain it early on. Jake Mulraney and Aidan Keena had been brought into the starting XI in place of Zach Elbouzedi and Mason Melia after Friday's disappointing draw against Drogheda. Neither did a whole lot in to justify their inclusion with Keena not getting a sniff of goal, bar when he was unable to get a clean connection on a deflected cross. There were flashes from Mulraney but no end product. Early on, a threatening run came to nothing as he tumbled out of play with his complaints that he had been fouled by Evan Caffrey falling on deaf ears. Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Exclusive Breaking Later, he covered serious ground before laying it off to Simon Power but looked to have run out of steam as he did not keep moving in search of a return pass. If their attacking left a lot to be desired then their defending for the opening goal in the 10th minute left a lot to be desired, even if there was a wicked deflection. Chelsea launch Club World Cup campaign with 2-0 victory over LAFC in Atlanta Mark Coyle surged forward before running into traffic. Harry Wood then laid it off to Caffrey on the right. With no defender in close proximity, Caffrey had the time to take a touch to tee himself up to pick out the unmarked Tyreke Wilson at the far post with a pinpoint cross. Advertisement The temptation might have been for WIlson to have a go himself. Instead, he had the presence of mind to cut it back to Ali Coote who unleashed a shot which changed direction after hitting Tom Grivosti to leave Joseph Anang with no chance. KENNY REACTION Presumably, that played some part in Stephen Kenny's decision to whip off both of his full-backs, Anto Breslin and Ryan McLaughlin, along with Mulraney at half-time. McLaughlin had been involved in St Pat's only chance in the first half with a good run down the right. Advertisement The deflection on Power's cross made it awkward for Keena. Jay McClelland had a go but his effort was charged down for a corner. Shels might have gone 2-0 up had Boyd tried to take a touch rather than meet Caffrey's cross first time with his scuffed volley going wide. The introduction of Melia gave the Shels defence more to contend with, evidenced by the teenager being fouled twice within seven minutes of coming on but referee Paul Norton was unmoved when Keena went to ground in the box when Paddy Barrett held him at bay. The ex-Sligo Rovers striker did manage to get a shot away a few minutes later but Conor Kearns was able to, comfortably enough, gather at the second attempt. Advertisement Later, Kearns got to a Power cross before Keena did and, when Elbouzedi looked set to pounce on the loose ball, Caffrey got his toe there first and the danger was cleared. Jamie Lennon went close from 20 yards with Kearns again proving his worth to deny Barry Baggley late on whilst almost making an easy save when opposite number Joseph Anang got his head on an injury-time corner. SUN STAR MAN: Evan Caffrey (Shelbourne) ST PAT'S: Anang 6; McLaughlin 5 (Sjoberg 46, 6), Redmond 6, Grivosti 6, Breslin 5 (Baggley 46, 6); Lennon 6, McClelland 5; Power 6, Leavy 6 (Elbouzedi 71, 7), Mulraney 5 (Melia 46, 6); Keena 5 (Carty 85, 4). Advertisement SHELBOURNE: Kearns 8; Bone 6, Barrett 7, Ledwidge 7; Caffrey 8 (Gannon 75, 6), Coyle 7, Lunney 6 (Kelly 70, 6), Wilson 7 (Norris 75, 5); Wood 6, Coote 6 (Chapman 60, 5); Boyd 7 (Martin 70, 6). REFEREE: P Norton (Dublin) 6
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
St Patrick's Athletic goalkeeper Joseph Anang called into Ghana squad for the first time
ST PAT'S keeper Joseph Anang has been called into the Ghana squad for the first time. Anang returned to St Pat's last summer on a permanent deal having previously enjoyed a successful stint on loan from West Ham in 2022. Previously capped by England at under-20 level when he was with the Hammers, he has caught Ghana boss Otto Addo's eye with his performances for the Saints. Anang moved to England as a teenager and had previously spoken about wanting to represent the country of his birth. And that has moved a step closer with his call-up for the Unity Cup at Brentford's GTech Community Stadium. The other keepers in the squad are 23-times capped Lawrence Ati-Zigi, an ever-present for Swiss side St. Gallen this season and Hearts of Oak's Benjamin Asare, who won his first two caps in March. Read More On Irish Football The revived Unity Cup - which included Ireland when last held in 2004 - also features Jamaica, Nigeria and Trinidad & Tobago. The Black Stars face Nigeria in their semi-final on Wednesday with a final and third-place play-off on Saturday. As the games do not fall during the international window, St Pat's were not obliged to release their keeper. And it is understood that he will return to Ireland after the first game and be available for St Pat's league match away to Sligo Rovers on Friday, their last before the mid-season break. Most read in Football 1 The 24-year-old is regarded as one of the best keepers in the Premier Division Roy Keane smirks live on TV before responding to Ruben Amorim's claim that the 'good days are coming' for Man Utd
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
League of Ireland club warned stadium could be partially closed down due to fan celebrations spilling over onto pitch
ST PAT'S face having part of Richmond Park closed down because of the celebrations which followed their last-gasp win over Cork City. Jamie Lennon scored in the fifth minute of injury time to 2 Jamie Lennon's late winner against Cork City sparked wild scenes of celebrations among the home fans 2 Richmond Park could be partially closed down if such a scene occurs again Having taken the lead, the home side fell 2-1 behind before Zach Elbouzedi levelled in the 89th minute before more late drama. The turnaround naturally prompted jubilation among the home fans, some of whom spilled onto the pitch to share the moment with It was the latest such incident and the club will now spend the rest of the season with the threat of having part of the ground shut down if there are repeated offences. In a statement, the Incicore outfit said: 'St Patrick's Athletic have been informed by the FAI Disciplinary Control Unit of a suspended partial stadium closure for the remainder of the 2025 League of Ireland season. Read More On Irish Football 'This is due to spectator conduct and pitch encroachments, the most recent of which was at our home game against Cork City on 16th of May. 'We have also received substantial fines throughout the season for these incidents. 'An incident of a similar nature in the future could result in the enforcement of a partial stadium closure. 'Whilst all at the club understand the emotion of scoring a last-minute winner, we remind all spectators that conduct such as pitch encroachments, use of pyrotechnics and the throwing of missiles leads to fines and sanctions for the club.' Most read in Football St Pat's are not the first club to be hit in the pocket and warned because of such incidents with Bohemians - who have developed a habit of scoring late winners - In it, Bos wrote: 'We unfortunately have cause to remind all attending Bohemians games, home or away, that encroachments onto the pitch are strictly forbidden and anyone identified as doing so faces sanction and being banned from future games. 'That's for you, son' - James Maddison brutally digs out Roy Keane in savage interview after Europa League final, CBSSportsGolazo 'The club has once again come under scrutiny from both the FAI and An Garda Síochána for pitch invasions, which have resulted in costly fines and sanctions, as well as additional security costs. 'We all appreciate the emotion of late winners and nobody at the club wishes to be scolding our supporters, the overwhelming majority of whom have helped generate a great atmosphere this season and have got behind the team vocally and in the right way. 'But encroachments onto the pitch and invading players' space in their place of work cannot continue - neither can the repeated fines or additional security costs, which are a terrible waste of the club's finite resources.'
