St Pat’s won’t be taking chances

St Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers, Ireland’s two remaining teams in European competition, hope to keep the Airtricity League flag flying when they go into tonight’s Europa League second round, second leg, home qualifiers against Siroki Brijeg and Spartak Trnava, respectively.

After their 1-1 draw in Bosnia last week, St Pat’s look best placed to make the third round, although manager Liam Buckley preaches caution for the Richmond Park tie (7.45 pm).

“We started well out there in the first leg, held onto the ball well and then missed a penalty. Christy Fagan scored and then Siroki had a man sent off. But then they equalised in the last minute. In the dressing room we felt we had lost the game,” said Buckley.

Now the St Pat’s boss, with the advantage of an away goal, may play a conservative game as a draw could clinch a money-spinning tie next week against Hanover 96.

“We are always going to get scoring chances and have to take advantage of those openings. Our main aim from kick-off will be to keep a clean sheet.”

Sligo, who lost 3-1 in Slovakia last week, will go all out for an early goal against Spartak Trnava at a sell-out Showgrounds (7pm).

“That could make it very interesting and there is no doubt we have the self-belief to do the job. But we must be patient if we are to achieve that third round tie against Steaua Bucharest,” said Danny North.