Kenny has no winter overhaul plans as Pat's bid to stay in title race

BIG IMPACT: St Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen Kenny after his side's victory in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between St Patrick's Athletic and Galway United. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Regardless of whether their late charge for the title comes up short on Friday, St Patrick’s Athletic won’t be undergoing an off-season overhaul under Stephen Kenny.

The former Ireland manager assumed control in early May, initially only winning two of his opening eight games, but against fellow challengers Derry City they’ll be seeking an eight straight league victory.

Even if they put a dent in Derry’s title ambitions, the bid of the Saints for a first league crown in 11 years will perish if leaders Shelbourne prevail against Drogheda United on the other side of Dublin.

Their streak of seven wins surpassed Shels’ feat of six earlier in the season, lifting Kenny’s crew to within four points of the summit with two games remaining.

Star striker Mason Melia continues to be sidelined, increasing the potential of another teen, Michael Noonan, featuring but Kenny also has fitness doubts over his flying wingers Jack Mulraney and Zack Elbouzedi.

Another flanker, Neil Farrugia, is being linked with a move to reunite with his former Ireland U21 boss as his contract with Shamrock Rovers runs down next month but Kenny is adamant changes won’t be wholesale. 

It’s widely expected that the Inchicore outfit, backed by businessman Garrett Kelleher, will mount a serious quest for silverware in 2025.

“I never said we would radically overhaul it because I didn't feel that,” Kenny stressed, ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

“We made some changes initially and there’ll be a couple more in January, but it's not a radical rebuild. The squad had a radical rebuild last year and, if you keep doing that, it's difficult. You need a level of continuity.

“We have good balance in the team now; full backs who raid, a balance between midfield players who are creative and we have centre forwards who are a danger on the last line in Mason Melia and now Aidan Keena.

“So we are definitely a threat. But we have to work hard and continue to improve to finish the season strongly. The off season can wait at the moment; we have to focus on these last two games.” 

Richmond Park will be sold-out, as will the Sligo Showgrounds for next week’s finale, but Kenny notes how the infrastructural deficits are suppressing club revenue.

"Our passionate crowds have been important but sometimes the grounds aren’t big enough,” he said of ticket demand.

“We brought 1,500 to Tallaght for the Shamrock Rovers win but at Tolka and Dalymount we can only get 500 fans in.

“That's a 1,000 people that went to Tallaght that can't go to Tolka or Dalymount. At €20 per ticket, that's €20,000 a match that clubs are losing, not us, other clubs.

“It's amazing that people want to go to games but can't get in. That’s a good sign in many ways but it's just rather unfortunate.”