Pats finish the season on a high

Photo: Kyle Houlihan

St. Patrick’s Athletic FC ran out 2-0 winners away to Sligo Rovers in their final game, which sealed European football for the Inchicore side.

After sitting in eighth position in the table in July, the managerial appointment of former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny completely changed everything for Pats.

Coming into the last game of the season, Pats had European football in their hands, sitting in third position, one point above Derry City.

Sligo Rovers were set up with multiple attacking opportunities early in the match, with Luke Pearce and Will Fitzgerald going close for the home side.

Former Sligo Rovers talisman Aidan Keena nodded Pats in front of his former team’s supporters. Initially, Keena put a respectful hand up and refused to celebrate, however, he then wheeled away and knee-slid in front of the home faithful. This of course did not sit well with Sligo supporters.

Late on substitute Romal Palmer finished off the game with a cool finish one on one with Sligo goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

This was Pats ninth win in a row, continuing their exciting winning streak since Stephen Kenny took charge in Richmond Park.

At the end of the season awards, winger Jake Mulraney took home the club’s Player of the Year award, as teenage sensation Mason Melia took the Young Player of the Year honour.

Melia is also one of three nominees for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award, with the newly-turned 17-year-old up against Shamrock Rover’s Johnny Kenny and Cork City’s Cathal O’Sullivan.

Joe Redmond is the sole Pat’s player in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, of course, Shelbourne won the league as Harry Wood fired home to beat Derry City with a late goal, stopping Shamrock Rovers from claiming the title.