Mahon's men feeling positive

SOCCER: PERHAPS THEIR best display, and biggest win, of the season in beating Drogheda United 4-0 at Richmond Park on Friday…

SOCCER:PERHAPS THEIR best display, and biggest win, of the season in beating Drogheda United 4-0 at Richmond Park on Friday night brought a palpable sense of relief for St Patrick's Athletic.

And a first win in six league outings was the perfect morale-boost ahead of tonight’s Dublin derby when Bohemians visit Inchicore.

“We badly needed that win to take away the doom and gloom because there was a lot of negativity around the place over what happened,” said St Patrick’s manager Pete Mahon in reference to the recent row at the club surrounding their Europa League campaign.

“That’s all in the past now. You can’t live in the past. You have to move on and you’ll never move on living in the past.

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“So we were just happy to get the win which came at the right time for us as it sets us up for Bohs now.

“Games between us have been very close since I’ve been at Pat’s. Bohs are a dangerous attacking side, and with players such as Killian Brennan and Christy Fagan will cause any team problems.

“I was very pleased with our second-half performance on Friday. Danny (North) and Daryl (Kavanagh) were back on the scoresheet and they looked very sharp in around the box.

“I’m really looking forward to the game. We haven’t had a great third series of games, but we know that victory will leave us in a good position going into the last series.

“Unfortunately, the game clashes with a big fixture across the water, but I’m hoping supporters from both sides will come out to create a great atmosphere for what is always an entertaining game.”

St Patrick’s are awaiting word on the fitness of winger Derek Doyle (calf) and striker North (ribs), though recent signing Seán O’Connor is available following a calf strain.

Bohemians are without suspended captain Owen Heary while midfielder Stephen Traynor is out with an ankle injury.

Manager Pat Fenlon may also be missing young winger Keith Buckley who has a broken nose.