Hostile reception expected as Dundalk travel to Inchicore

Stephen O’Donnell accepts that he could be faced with a frosty reception when he returns to Richmond Park tonight, as Dundalk FC travel to the Inchicore venue to face St Patrick’s Athletic in the SSE Airtricity League (kick-off, 7.45pm).

O’Donnell became head coach at Oriel Park at the end of last year, having controversially departed St Pats less than two weeks after lifting the FAI Cup at the Aviva Stadium.

Following him to Oriel were a number of key players such as John Mountney, Robbie Benson and Sam Bone, while assistant Patrick Cregg also linked up with The Lilywhites.

O’Donnell was subsequently accused of breaching his contract by the incensed St Pats hierarchy – who threatened legal action at one point – and even though nothing has since emerged from that, all attention will be on the Galway native come Friday night.

“It’s disappointing the way it’s all turned out because I had a great, unbelievable rapport with the coaching staff and with the players,” he said. “A lot of them are still there and we had great relationships. My only concern is I don’t want that to be sullied or anything.

“I had brilliant rapport with the people around the ground in there every day and with the St Pats fans. Obviously that’s going to be a lot different now, but I don’t want to get away from the fact I had great relationships with a lot of people that are still at the club.

“There will be a lot of hullaballoo, but it’s about players. It’s not about managers or coaches. It’s about the players and I just want our lads to go out like they do every week and go out and express themselves and work hard. All the rest of it is just waffle talk.

“There will be a good atmosphere. Any time there’s a good atmosphere in our league, it’s going to be good. If there’s an interest, a sub-plot or whatever, it’s going to make for an intriguing match, but the talking is going to be done on the pitch.

“Players are going to decide the game and the rest of it is going to be noise, but it is going to be a bit of craic.”

With a bumper attendance expected at Richmond Park, O’Donnell insists he won’t be fazed by the levels of hostility he’s likely to be subjected to from the St Pats faithful.

“It’s a great place to play. Whatever happens, happens. I won’t be afraid anyway, that’s for sure. The fans are right on top of the pitch. They’re the atmospheres you want to play in. Would I rather get applauded onto the pitch? Of course you would, but it is football.

“That’s what it is, it’s an emotional game and I think it’s good in the fact of interest and emotion at the match. It will create a good atmosphere and it should be a good game.”

Friday’s fixture in Inchicore is to be refereed by Robert Harvey (Dublin) and will be broadcast live on RTÉ Television – with free-to-air coverage beginning from 7.30pm.

Mackey hopeful Dundalk can get a good run of results to put pressure on leaders

Mackey hopeful Dundalk can get a good run of results to put pressure on leaders

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