Tardelli to take in Pat’s clash with Linfield

MARCO TARDELLI will get his first taste of the domestic game when the assistant to incoming Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni visits Richmond Park tonight to watch the Setanta Cup clash between St Patrick’s Athletic and Linfield.

Tardelli, currently taking English lessons in Dublin, will be among a big crowd at the Inchicore ground, with Linfield expected to bring in the region of 900 supporters down from Belfast for the game.

With the two clubs topping their respective leagues, temporary all-Ireland bragging rights are at issue tonight, although it’s the Dublin side who need the Setanta Cup points rather more urgently than their northern rivals.