Stephen Kenny hires ball boys to speed up revival of St Patrick’s Athletic

New signings for St Patrick’s Athletic will have to wait until the transfer window opens next week before they can officially play.

But boss Stephen Kenny has made one change in terms of how things are done which could prove effective for them in their bid to rise up the table.

Pat’s have shown a habit of scoring late goals this season under Kenny, like the late, late winner for Brandon Kavanagh against Shamrock Rovers in the last game before the summer break.

“We introduced ball boys, because there weren’t any, so that was important for throw-ins to get the ball back quickly,” Kenny said ahead of tonight’s derby at home to fellow under-achievers Bohemians.

“It’s just something I noticed, particularly when you go behind in a game and the sense of frustration when you can’t get the game going quickly again.”

He also noted a growing trend to hold up play so the coaching staff can get instructions across.

Having been away from the Dublin derby scene for a 14-year spell since his stints with Dundalk and two FAI roles, Kenny has been thrust back into that world in his current post.

He’s been in charge for a loss to Shelbourne, a draw with Bohemians and a win over Shamrock Rovers, so he’s ready for tonight’s test against Bohs (again).

“We need to improve, we know we have scope for improvement, it was important to get that win against Shamrock Rovers, because that has galvanised support,” said Kenny.

“Bohemians themselves will be very determined to get a result, they lost late in the previous game as well, so that can give you an extra determination in the next game, as we found ourselves when we conceded late.

“So it’s a Dublin derby, I have not been involved in them for a long time, in well over a decade, so we have already had a few in the few weeks I’ve been involved. They come thick and fast and we are looking forward to it. So we need to improve ourselves and there is an awareness of that among the players.

“We need to get better. There are a lot of important games coming up, the two league games leading into an FAI Cup game against Derry City before we play Vaduz in Europe, so it’s an important period for the team,” Kenny added.

He recalls Anto Breslin for the derby but new signing Joseph Anang is not yet eligible to play with more new arrivals likely, but former Bohs and Rovers man Danny Mandroiu is expected to stay in England.

“I’ve known Danny for a while. Obviously I had him in the under-21 international team and I called him up to the senior squad for a training camp. I’ve not spoken to him recently, but my feeling is that he would most likely have options in England, and that would be his most likely destination, I would feel,” Kenny said.

Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan's exclusive take on the day's news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.