St Patricks Athletic 2006

[1875]

Not yet, but should be ok by this afternoon I hope.

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

Originally Posted by 1875

Not yet, but should be ok by this afternoon I hope.

Good stuff, hopefully the Saints can keep our current good form going, we owe this shower of muppets big time

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

Bohs 0-1 Saints

At last we finally get the win we deserve against Bohs, after nearly falling asleep in the 1st half the Saints came to life in the 2nd, especially Mark Rutherford. The pressure eventually paid off in the 79th minute when Dave Mulcahy scored on Blobby O'briens near post.

Again we take this opportunity to thank Bohs for taking Aiden O'Keefe off our hands




Next up for the Saints @ home v Bray Wanderers on Friday 20th @ 7.45pm



Then its the big one, Friday 27th, Tolka Park, FAI Cup Semi Final v Shamrock Rovers



COME ON THE SAINTS

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

Saints 5-1 Bray Wanderers


The Saints great run continued tonght with a complete performance in the 5-1 demolition of Bray Wanderers. Goals from Anto Murphy (2) Mark Quigley, Trevor Molloy and an O.G. secured the result against the worst team I've seen in the Premier Division since Monaghan Utd. Again Mark Rutherford was the main player of the night, destroying the Bray defense.




Next Up For The Saints: FAI Cup Semi Final v Shamrock Rovers in Tolka Park on Friday night, K.O. @ 7.45pm



COME ON THE SAINTS

[1875]

I dont think I will be in Dublin on Friday Mark, but c'mon the Saints!

[glasgowian]

Let's keep this superb run going - hopefully on Friday the Sellik wannabes won't know what's hit 'em

Lookin' forward to a sesh at the final with my good pals - 'MON THE PATS

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

Good stuff lads, myself and James have taken half days from work, will be over Drumcondra way for around 5 o'clock, get some beers in pre match to get the vocals flowing. Am WELL nervous about this one, they knocked us out of the League Cup this season already. But the way we're playing lately I'm still hopeful of being in Lansdowne Road on Dec 4th

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

New Saints AWAY shirt for next season. Will maybe appeal to the Barca fans among you, ie Mark and Billy

[LisaO]

Looks good Mark.

Think that'll be on the shopping list when I'm over next month

[1875]

Mark, would you believe they want me to go to Dublin Friday but I cannae get a flight back Saturday, they are all super expensive!!

In case I get something, where is Drumcondra from the airport?

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

Originally Posted by 1875

Mark, would you believe they want me to go to Dublin Friday but I cannae get a flight back Saturday, they are all super expensive!!

In case I get something, where is Drumcondra from the airport?

Drumcondra not too far from airport at all, the airport bus stops outside ground. Myself and James will be over there from 5 ish. Let me know as soon as you can so I can get you ticket in main stand with us (if you pay at the gate the money goes to Rovers)

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

One day to go, the nerves have set in BIG TIME


COME ON THE SAINTS

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

The day has arrived. COME ON THE SAINTS!








PAT'S BID TO END CURSE
Old rivals Rovers stand in Saints' path to glory

CONSIDERING they haven't claimed the trophy since 1987 it's slightly unfortunate that Shamrock Rovers still occasionally get labelled with the tag of 'cup specialists.'

The Hoops may have been FAI Cup winners 24 times but it's been a competition where they've endured more hard luck stories than good luck ones in recent times.

There's little danger of St Patrick's Athletic, who face Rovers in tonight's semi- final at Tolka Park, ever being referred to as cup experts.

As has been well documented, they haven't won the Blue Riband of Irish football since 1961. The weight of expectation has been passed down from manager to manager.

Even under the league winning teams of Brian Kerr, Pat Dolan and Liam Buckley in the 1990's there was a gnawing sense of regret that the Inchicore side failed to put their cup curse to bed in a decade where they were in the ascendancy for long periods.

Brilliance

Under Eamonn Collins, they lost a Lansdowne final to Longford in 2003 but it's the final of ten years ago which is the one that got away as far as Saints' regulars are concerned.

Chasing the double, they led Shelbourne into the final stages before the brilliance of Tony Sheridan forged an equaliser for their Dublin rivals who played most of the game with ten men and midfielder Brian Flood between the sticks after the early dismissal of Alan Gough.

With Gough back in goals, the replay went the way of Shels and Kerr's Saints were distraught. Their captain was Johnny McDonnell and as the manager of the class of 2006 he doesn't want to be talking about the weight of history.

Certainly not when there is a semi-final to be played, even if they are strong favourites against their Division One opponents, who are not helped by the fact that nine players are either cup tied or suspended.

"I don't want to be hearing about that," said McDonnell yesterday before taking his squad to the Finnstown House Hotel in Lucan where they spent last night.

"It's something I don't want to hear too much about, that we haven't won the competition since nineteen whatever. We can't talk about it until the time comes around."

McDonnell has grounds for optimism given the form that his side have been in during the build up to this game. They started this season with a flyer but suffered a serious slump after the mid season break which placed the camp in something of a crisis.

The manager called a meeting of his players prior to a league clash with Sligo four weeks ago to have a frank discussion about recent problems.

And while that game ended with an unfortunate defeat, the Saints haven't looked back since then with four wins and 13 goals from their subsequent outings.

"We needed to have a chat so we spoke with the lads and since then the belief has been back," says the former centre half.

Target

"At the start of the season we said that finishing fifth in the league and a good cup run would be a bonus.

"We're sixth in the league right now and have this game to look forward to now so we're on target to meet that goal."

It's been quiet from the Rovers camp this week with Pat Scully and his players not too keen to speak in the recent climate of controversial fines being handed down for the comments in the media.

They'll be looking to do their talking on the pitch as they chase the unique double of the First Division Championship and the FAI Cup.

[1875]

Good luck tonight!!

[Decal Joe]

Congratulations St Pats!

Lansdowne Rd will be a great day!

[1875]

Originally Posted by Decal Joe

Congratulations St Pats!

Lansdowne Rd will be a great day!

2 Nil, brilliant, post the final Dates, I will see if I can get over.

Mon the Saints!

[Lix]

woo!!

:YAYYY:

Go 'an yoursels!!!

Be cheering ya on on the 3rd .. well done!

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

:YAYYY: :brocban



What more can I say. What a night back in McDowells, team came back, and as usual Brian Kerr was there to join the party. Always good to beat the celtic wannabies, but in the semi final of the cup its even better. Goals scored by Paul Keegan and Trevor Molloy.














I'm so so ill now, but well worth it, missed work today too, DEFINITELY well worth it. Again the Saints fans were amaing, atmosphere unreal. Final in Lansdowne on Sunday, December 3rd. Can't wait for it.


COME ON THE SUPERSAINTS

[1875]

Sunday, bummer, doubt I will get there on a Sunday? Well done anyway!

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

FAI Cup Final oppoonents confirmed, Derry City. Saints will go into final as clear underdogs, and we wouldn't have it ant other way. Plus, if Derry win the league we'll be in UEFA Cup next season even if final doesn't go our way (but it will :YAYYY: )


The REAL Red Army against the Northern Boys. BRING IT ON




COME ON THE SAINTS

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]