Pat's captain Ger O'Brien lifts the cup last year. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC will attempt to retain the President’s Cup when they travel to Oriel Park to face Dundalk in the League of Ireland curtain-raiser (3pm).
A stunning strike by Keith Fahey sealed a 1-0 victory for the Saints over Sligo Rovers in the inaugural showcase 12 months ago — which pits the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division winners against the FAI Cup champions.
Advertisement
Liam Buckley’s men return after ending their 53-year cup drought last November and meet Stephen Kenny’s Lilywhites after their first title win since 1995. President Michael D Higgins will also be in attendance to present the victorious captain with the trophy named after him.
“We took it very seriously last year, as we will this year,” Liam Buckley told The42 yesterday. “It is part of our pre-season but there is a cup up for grabs.
“We will be treating it deadly serious and putting out a strong team. In fairness, whoever I pick from our squad it should be a strong team anyway. I’m sure Dundalk will go the same so it’s a good season-opener for us.”
“I do think it’ll be competitive,” said Kenny. “It’s a big event, league and cup winners playing each other, so we want to win it. It’s a great idea, the President’s Cup.
“There’s been nothing for the league and cup winners before, like they have in other countries, so it’s a great concept to have those two teams in a curtain-raiser at the start of the season.
“I think it’s terrific. We’re delighted to have it. It’s something the supporters and players have been looking forward to. The more occasions like that, the better.
Dundalk play St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI President’s Cup at Oriel Park, where kick off is 3pm
LOI champions and FAI Cup winners go head-to-head for President's Cup
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC will attempt to retain the President’s Cup when they travel to Oriel Park to face Dundalk in the League of Ireland curtain-raiser (3pm).
A stunning strike by Keith Fahey sealed a 1-0 victory for the Saints over Sligo Rovers in the inaugural showcase 12 months ago — which pits the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division winners against the FAI Cup champions.
Liam Buckley’s men return after ending their 53-year cup drought last November and meet Stephen Kenny’s Lilywhites after their first title win since 1995. President Michael D Higgins will also be in attendance to present the victorious captain with the trophy named after him.
“We took it very seriously last year, as we will this year,” Liam Buckley told The42 yesterday. “It is part of our pre-season but there is a cup up for grabs.
“We will be treating it deadly serious and putting out a strong team. In fairness, whoever I pick from our squad it should be a strong team anyway. I’m sure Dundalk will go the same so it’s a good season-opener for us.”
The Lilywhites have everyone fit except captain Stephen O’Donnell, who has had a cartilage operation.
“I do think it’ll be competitive,” said Kenny. “It’s a big event, league and cup winners playing each other, so we want to win it. It’s a great idea, the President’s Cup.
“There’s been nothing for the league and cup winners before, like they have in other countries, so it’s a great concept to have those two teams in a curtain-raiser at the start of the season.
“I think it’s terrific. We’re delighted to have it. It’s something the supporters and players have been looking forward to. The more occasions like that, the better.
Dundalk play St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI President’s Cup at Oriel Park, where kick off is 3pm
Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell plays down fresh injury concerns
Bad news for Cork City as journalists tip them for the title
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
FAI Presidents Cup It's back Liam Buckley Michael D Higgins Oriel Park Stephen Kenny Dundalk