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St Patrick's Athletic carry slim European qualification hopes to Derry City

St Patrick's Athletic carry a very slim chance of qualifying for the 2020 Europa League to the Ry...



St Patrick's Athletic carry sl...
Soccer

St Patrick's Athletic carry slim European qualification hopes to Derry City

St Patrick's Athletic carry a very slim chance of qualifying for the 2020 Europa League to the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Tuesday night as they face Derry City in the SSE Airtricity League (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Saints currently lie in fifth position in the Premier Division table and five points behind fourth placed Derry City.

It means that the Candystripes would qualify for Europe at the expense of tonight's opponents with just a draw.

Saints' first team coach Stephen O'Donnell has no injury concerns heading into the match and is boosted by the return of Republic of Ireland under-21 international midfielder Jamie Lennon.

"We are travelling to Derry in good spirits after the back of a good performance on Friday against Bohs.  I thought we played well and didn’t get what we deserved," O’Donnell told stpatsfc.com.

"Derry are a good side and have had a really strong season.  Playing up in the Brandywell is always a really tough game and we are going to have to be really at it to get a result.

"The players have recovered well since Friday and we are hoping to go up there and get a result."

City have no fresh injury concerns after their win in Sligo on Saturday and will be hoping for a change in fortunes against the Saints who took four points from two meetings in May.

City manager Declan Devine admits that even the smallest hope of European qualification can motivate the visitors.

"St Pats are still in the hunt themselves and that will make them an even more difficult opponent than they already are, however we will approach the game positively," Devine told derrycityfc.net.

"That’s what we’ve always done no matter who we’ve played so we won’t change now."

"I’m appealing for one last push from our magnificent supporters. If they turn out in numbers they can really help lift the players towards that goal."

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