Buckley eyes silver lining for Pat’s

Liam Buckley, boss of newly dethroned Airtricity League champions St Patrick’s Athletic, sent texts to the winning and losing managers after last Friday night’s decider in Oriel Park saw Dundalk get the better of title rivals Cork City on the final night.

“I just sent John Caulfield a text saying ‘hard luck’,” says Buckley. “And I tried to get through to Stephen (Kenny) and sent a text to him as well. In fairness to them, they both had great seasons. Five or six thousand people turning up in Cork; Dundalk, the place was buzzing. I remember when we won it here the place was buzzing too.”

For Buckley, the disappointment of coming up short in Pats’ bid to retain their title will be more than softened if his players can end that infamous 53-year drought for the Inchicore club by beating Derry City in Sunday’s FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium. Not that the manager thinks their season will have been a failure if they don’t end up lifting the silverware.