No lack of incentive for St Pat’s as O’Donnell returns to Inchicore

Careful now, legal eagles at play. The afterglow of St Patrick’s Athletic winning the FAI Cup was quickly extinguished by the club seeking a court order to prevent Stephen O’Donnell from taking any players or staff with him to Dundalk.

“I’ve hit a bit of a lull,” said O’Donnell, the soon-to-be former St Pat’s manager straight after beating Bohemians on penalties at the Aviva Stadium last November. “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster during the game that you hit a bit of a flat spot. I think I’ll pick back up in an hour or two.”

A fractured relationship between manager and club never picked back up as within the fortnight Dundalk confirmed O’Donnell as their new manager.

Lee Desmond was also sitting in the Aviva press room that evening as St Pat’s began to enjoy their first silverware since 2016. Joy was the prevailing mood even when Desmond got asked about the future of his manager.

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“Of course [we want O’Donnell to stay]!” he replied. “Everybody gets on so well with him. He’s brought us on all to another level. Not that anybody was not taking it seriously before but he puts certain demands on you.”

In legal correspondence, reported by The Sunday Times, St Pat’s accuse O’Donnell of advising club owner Garrett Kelleher to wait until after the cup final to re-sign players. They claim this includes Benson, who incidentally scored the winning penalty against Bohs.

“To me, loyalty is very, very important in the game, and I just think it is disgraceful what Stephen did,” said Brian Kerr on radio.

St Patrick's Athletic v Dundalk
Richmond Park, 7.45pm – Live on RTÉ Two

Dundalk manager Stephen O’Donnell, recently of St Pat’s, spoke this week about “a lot of hullabaloo” around his move and the subsequent court proceedings taken by his former club. O’Donnell said the game is all about the players – three of whom he took to Dundalk – and the rest is “waffle talk.” Makes for a fun night.

Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers
Tolka Park, 7.45pm

Strategic or unwise, whenever Shels manager Damien Duff reacts to media criticism of his players it becomes amplified far and wide with people who would have missed the performance of Kameron Ledwidge peering in to see how the 21-year-old copes with the likes of Andy Lyons and Aidomo Emakhu.

Drogheda United v Bohemians
Head in the game park, 7.45pm

Keith Long’s Bohs, the great reinventors year upon year, might have settled upon a starting XI that can drive them into the European places. Feels like the perfect setting for Dawson Devoy and Promise Omochere to dominate against a Drogheda side perilously close to the relegation zone.

Saturday

Finn Harps v Derry City
Finn Park, 5.3pm

The Candystripes, and the unique system employed by manager Ruaidhrí Higgins, where seven players can be launched into attacking positions at any moment, could expand their lead at the top to nine points if Rovers lose their Dublin derby at Tolka. Brandon Kavanagh’s presence makes for a €7 bargain to watch this early kick-off on LOITV.

Sligo Rovers v UCD
The Showgrounds, 7.45pm

Perfect opportunity for Liam Buckley’s men to shake off Tuesday’s home defeat to Bohs, and snap a three game winless streak, against a talented student group, particularly Liam Kerrigan and Colm Whelan, who do seem worryingly short of belief.