St Patrick’s Athletic’s aspirations of postponing Sunday’s rescheduled Premier League duel against Dundalk, to enhance their chances of progressing to the Conference League group stages, are expected to be turned down. Dundalk declined to consider the deferment as they’re caught up in a relegation scuffle with their primary contenders, Drogheda United. Jon Daly, former St Patrick’s Athletic director until his dismissal in May, was succeeded by Stephen Kenny.
St Patrick’s Athletic are on the brink of qualifying for the group stages of the Uefa Conference League for the first time, but they have to face Dundalk amidst a six-day gap from Thursday’s goalless match with Basaksehir FK in Tallaght and the subsequent half in Istanbul on Wednesday.
“The Turkish league have shelved [domestic] matches to favour European teams supporting their advancement to the group stages,” Kenny stated. “This is the approach for a focused and spirited team.”
Looking back, Kenny recollected how his Dundalk squad in 2016 was able to postpone league games to advance to the Europa League group stages. “We managed to qualify owing to a few matches being called off by Fran Gavin, the former League director. We have a game in less than six days, there’s another match to play in the middle, while Basaksehir FK is resting.
“People might interpret this as a grievance, but having been involved in numerous European matches as a manager, I understand the game. Once we’re in the group, we’ll manage. However, reaching the group is a considerable challenge for Irish teams, and we could do with any assistance available.”
Mark Scanlon, Director of the League of Ireland under the FAI, suggested in a Tallaght meeting on Thursday that it’s improbable he’d willingly make any adjustments to benefit St Pat’s – a decision carrying the potential of costing the club well over €3.7 million. Indeed, by clinching just two victories in the Conference League group stages, St Pat’s stand to win more than the entire League of Ireland prize amount of €765,000 (€800,000).
Regulations regarding the league’s participation extend to the director the authority to delay a game up to 24 hours before its commencement if deemed advantageous for the league or FAI.
As Kenny articulated, despite a twinge of disappointment for not securing the win in Istanbul, the team remains firmly in the competition. However, the injury setback of Romal Palmer could add an extra strain on the team. Currently, Dundalk sits just above the relegation zone, leading Drogheda by two points and trailing St Pat’s by eight.
The forthcoming primary league clash between Shamrock Rovers and Galway United is scheduled for Sunday at the Tallaght Stadium. The Rovers remain committed to this pivotal match despite their recent 4-0 defeat to PAOK in the Europa League playoffs. Unless the squad under Stephen Bradley clears five goals against the current Greek champions at Tallaght, they’ll be heading to the Uefa Conference League draw in Monaco. Chelsea, Copenhagen, and potentially St. Patrick’s Athletic, could all be competitors in the draw.
It’s doubtful that Trevor Clarke, who suffered an injury during the PAOK match, will participate in Sunday’s game. Nonetheless, the fans can expect Danny Mandroiu, a new recruit from Lincoln City, to make it to the starting line-up.
Both the Rovers and Galway United are leveling at 38 points. Still, the defending champions have an additional game left to play, a game that could secure their fifth consecutive league title if won.
United suffered a set-back in their incredible league run after an FAI Cup exit at the hands of Shelbourne last weekend. Despite losing the penalty shoot-out 5-3, John Caulfield’s side is still in the running for a spot in next season’s European football qualifiers.