St Patrick's Athl. must regroup after Tiernan Lynch's departure, with skipper Michael Duffy admitting the players must shoulder responsibility for the team's poor form. The team is currently 2nd in the Premier Division, with 44 points from 26 games, and is 7 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers. They have won just 7 games in all competitions and have a recent form of DDDWL. In their last result, St Patrick's Athl. drew 1-1 with Derry City on August 2nd. The team is now preparing to face Shelbourne in a Dublin derby at Tolka Park on August 9th.
What happened?
St Patrick's Athl. has been in a turbulent week after Tiernan Lynch departed as manager after 18 months in charge. Lynch was informed of the decision by chairman Philip O'Doherty and director Patrick Simpson following a training session. Interim manager Mark Connolly has taken over and is expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Why it matters for St Patrick's Athl.
The team's poor form has seen them win just 7 games in all competitions, and Duffy knows the situation must change fast. "Results is what it comes down to," he said. "We haven't been good enough this year, end of story." The team has been a laughing stock all year, with story after story every couple of weeks about them.
What comes next?
The team is now preparing to face Shelbourne in a Dublin derby at Tolka Park on August 9th. "We know it's a big couple of weeks coming up," Duffy said. "We want to get back to the Brandywell and we need a big home win on Friday. Then the cup is absolutely massive the week after, but Sligo is our only focus.
