Credit: Eoghan Connolly
The Saints were in action last night in the first round of the UECL qualifiers against FC Hegelmann of Lithuania. Stephen Kenny’s saints could have came away with more but thanks to an Aiden Kenna 2nd half penalty the saints have a 1-0 lead heading to the second leg.
The Build Up
In my opinion the game was already won with the Shed End Invincible’s organising a fan march before the game and a display for when the teams come out. The march before was very well organised with pyro flying everywhere and chanting of the passionate fanbase.
The display (first picture) was a quality tribute to Christy Moore’s song “Joxer Goes To Stuttgart”, one of my personal favourites. The atmosphere was electric, the European games always bring out the best in LOI fans. Credit to the SEI for putting on an unreal display of Irish Fan Culture.
The Match
Following recent trends, quality in front of goal was missed with the some big chances missed by Mason Melia in the first half, the saints could have killed the game from his chances solely. We also saw the Hegelmann goalkeeper Sarkauskas handled the ball outside the box, but no reaction from the referee meant the game went on. Not too long after Jay McClellend strikes the bar from a cross. The saints dominated the first half but no luck in front of goal.
The second half brought the same level of intensity but it just seemed to be not good enough for Pats as Melia missed another big chance from about 10 yards out. That is when a goalmouth scramble gave Pats a lifeline penalty and Aiden Kenna struck it bottom left, no chance for the keeper.
Overall a great performance hopefully thats a big conference boost going into the second leg.
The 2nd leg
I’m hoping to see goals as I will be the Grattan pub alongside all the other unlucky pats fans who could not make the trip to Kaunas. I do believe the goal will kickstart us from now until the end of the season and we should breeze Hegelmann in the 2nd leg.
Prediction: 2-0 Saints
Ní Neart Go Cur Le Chéile!