Jon Daly: 'Now it’s about us seeing if we can make them go down to Cork and win'

FORCE ROVERS HANDS: St. Pats’ manager Jon Daly hoping his side will push Rovers all the way with a win. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

A draw at St Patrick’s Athletic tonight will create history for Stephen Bradley but typical of the man is his determination to apply style to the feat (Live RTÉ 2, 8pm).

Champions Shamrock Rovers are champions-elect – by the admission of opposition manager Jon Daly – but title tension can prolong for another few days if a fifth defeat of the season is inflicted on the Hoops.

Victory in front of a full Richmond Park would bring the Saints level with the leaders on 65 points; however in that case Rovers could wrap it by beating Cork City on Monday before next Friday’s final series.

All possibilities whereas the one certainty is Bradley’s ideology for attack.

“We know a point does it for us considering our goal difference, but we’ll go there to win the game,” emphasised the Rovers manager, on the brink of becoming the first one to stitch four crowns in a row together.

“That doesn’t change whether we’re home or away. We know Pat's have some good players and that hasn’t changed all year – Jon Daly has done a really good job since he’s gone in – but there will be nothing on our mind other than winning and getting the three points.” 

That St Pat’s took just one point from nine in the three previous meetings this season has proven the difference in them being the chasers rather than the chased.

Four clean sheets on the spin indicates a solidity they’ve craved but keeping a Rovers artillery with Graham Burke back from suspension to lead is a mission they’ve to conquer before delaying the Rovers party is countenanced. They’ve also parked any FAI Cup final fever for the time-being.

“I think it's inevitable Rovers will win the league,” confessed former Rangers striker Daly, who took over in May when his boss Tim Clancy was moved on.

“Now it’s about us seeing if we can make them go down to Cork and win. Our games against Rovers are always competitive games and this will be another sell-out and brilliant atmosphere . We've achieved our first objective of qualifying to Europe - but that's done.” 

Away from the top-of-the-table clash, third-place Derry City can join Rovers and St Pat’s in Europe next season if they beat Cork City at Turner’s Cross (7.45pm).

All three games this season have gone the way of Derry but three points are essential for the Rebel Army to avoid their relegation playoff being confirmed – for now anyway.

“I'm extremely disappointed that we're sitting here and not in the title mix going into the last couple of matches" Derry boss Ruaidhrí Higgins sighed.

"It's been a frustrating year with some difficult times but also plenty of positives.

"Qualifying for European competition is the minimum expectation at this club but we know that Cork will make it very difficult for us.

"There's plenty to play for on both sides. Cork are fighting for their lives to avoid the play-off and we're looking to cement a European place."

City’s caretaker chief Richie Holland will be without Conor Drinan and Ally Gilchrist, out for the season with an achilles injury, while Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh is farther on than Drinan in recovering from a bug that decimated the squad last week and could figure.

“I’m trying to change the mentality,” insisted Holland, whose side have Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians in their final two games.

“I’m a Cork man and being in this situation hurts. I always feel Cork teams are at their best when it’s us against the rest of the world. The boys have bought into that siege mentality and this club is a different animal when there’s a connection with the fans. The minimum I want is players giving everything for them.” 

In the other games, Shelbourne host UCD and Dundalk welcome Bohemians (both 7.45pm).