St Pats form 'unacceptable' says Stephen Kenny as FC Hegelmann visit in UEFA Conference League

Pats are currently on a run of six games without a win, scoring just once in the process.

Stephen Kenny is interviewed during a St Patrick's Athletic media conference at Richmond Park. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

St Patrick’s Athletic must rediscover their shooting boots to clear the first hurdle of the Conference League against Lithuanian opposition.

FC Hegelmann are joint-second in the table of the A Lyga that, like Ireland, runs through the summer.

Last season’s march to the playoff stage of the same competition was the highlight of Stephen Kenny’s first season back in club management.

For that to be replicated, a strong start in front of a restricted capacity of 2,500 is essential for a side worryingly out of form.

Compounding their winless run of six matches is the barren attacking aspect. Just once have they hit the net, coming into their European expedition on the back of successive stalemates against Cork City and Bohemians.

“It is unacceptable, of course,” said Kenny of their lull in results. “I am hugely disappointed with that but at the same time I understand that everyone is giving everything.”

That’s the minimum required against a side showcasing a multi-national side, led by Cameroonian striker Abdel Kader Njoya.

If they emerge victorious from the tie that concludes in Lithuania next Thursday, the Saints will then face the winners from the clash of Nomme Kalju (Estonia) and Partizani (Albania).

That would also double their European prize money, nearing the halfway mark of the €1.28m grossed from last year’s progress.

“We worked hard last season to move up the table to finish third and qualify for Europe again,” added Kenny. “European nights at Richmond Park are special.

“There’s no point in qualifying for Europe and just getting knocked out. You have to show a level of ambition and we will have to fight hard over two legs to get through.”