Player of Month Mulraney admits St Pat's are in title race

Five teams are still in the race for the league title.

Thu, 17 Oct, 2024 - 17:27

John Fallon

SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month Jake Mulraney insists his St Patrick’s Athletic side can race up the outside to land the league crown.

From relegation to title contenders, six straight victories have elevated Stephen Kenny’s side to within four points of leaders Shelbourne.

All five teams in the hunt have three games left, with Saints on Friday hosting the side they’re locked on 50 points with – Galway United.

“I was just laughing with a couple of my teammates in the dressing-room earlier that it went from relegation to European and now in a title race within two-and-a-half-months,” said the 28-year-old, capped for Ireland up to U21 level.

“In terms of output, it is probably the best I have played. I seem to be getting into the right positions to score the goals and I am impacting games more this season.

“If St Pat’s can qualify for European football again it would be massive for the club.”

As the Supersaints enjoyed the perfect month - with seven wins from seven including their Leinster Senior Cup triumph - Mulraney was once again to the fore.

A brace against Drogheda at the start of the month, was followed by a virtuoso performance against Dublin rivals, Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght where he scored twice and made another and he also netted in the 3-1 Dublin derby win over Bohemians on Monday.

Mulraney is under contract at Richmond Park for another season, at least, and keen to see the environment improve with the playing standards.

“I have always said that there are good players here in the League of Ireland and the potential is there,” noted the ex-Hearts winger who has played his football in England, Scotland and in America with Atlanta and Orlando City.

“But the facilities certainly need to improve, if the players and the overall product are to thrive going forward.”