St Patrick’s Athletic can win the Airtricity League Premier Division this evening in front of their own fans when they face defending champions Sligo Rovers at Richmond Park (5.15pm, live on RTÉ Two and www.rte.ie/sport).
Dundalk’s draw with Bohemians at Dalymount Park last night means that St Pat’s will capture their first title since the 1998-99 season if they beat third-place Sligo and a draw will probably be good enough given they currently hold a massive 17-goal advantage over second-place Dundalk, who have just two games left to play.
A capacity crowd is expected at Richmond Park as Liam Buckley’s side look to lift their eighth league title, and their first this century, in front of the RTÉ cameras and the manager is expecting a day to remember.
“Sunday’s game promises to be a really great occasion in Inchicore, and I can assure everyone that it is one that both the players and staff are all really looking forward to,” Buckley said.
“Seeing Richmond Park packed to the rafters recently and the huge numbers last week out in UCD, is something that we’ve all really been grateful for during some of the games this season.
"We’re all hoping again to see another great crowd getting behind us from the first whistle to the last.”
Both sides are at full strength for the clash and Sligo boss Ian Baraclough, who last week guided his side to their fourth FAI Ford Cup final in five years, knows they must win to keep their faint title hopes alive.
"The outcome of the title race is not in our hands. But we control what we do on Sunday.
"We have to give everything. Every piece of energy and every ounce of effort must be left on the pitch. We can't afford anything less,” said Baraclough.
“If we take care of that and focus on our strengths we should beat any team in this league I feel. That is not being cocky, if we concentrate on making sure every aspect of our game is flourishing, we should come out on top against any side in my opinion.”
"We’re all hoping again to see another great crowd getting behind us" - Liam Buckley
Also this afternoon, bottom side Bray Wanderers face Limerick at the Carlisle Grounds (3pm) knowing they must pick up points to have any chances of extricating themselves from the bottom two over their final three games.
Airtricity League Premier Division
Bray Wanderers v Limerick, Carlisle Grounds, 3pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers, Richmond Park, 5.15pm (Live on RTÉ Two)
Live television coverage of St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers from 17:00 on Sunday 13 October on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide excluding GB & NI).
