Buckley looks for cup ‘reward’

“I hope it finishes this year,” smiles Liam Buckley with studied understatement when the subject of probably the most famous trophy drought in Irish football comes up yet again.

St Patrick’s Athletic go into tomorrow’s FAI Ford Cup final against Derry City at the Aviva Stadium looking not just to claim a prestigious trophy but, by doing so, to end 51 years of hurt for the famous Inchicore club.

And, as Pat’s go in search of that elusive first cup final victory since 1961, manager and former player Buckley needs no reminding that the hand of history is, once again, resting on the shoulders of the men from Richmond Park.