LIAM: HIT & CHRIS THIS YEAR
St Pat’s v Cork City Tomorrow, 7.45pm
LIAM BUCKLEY claims St Pat’s will ‘redraw the picture’ to get striker Christy Fagan firing on all cylinders again.
Fagan (above) was the Premier Division’s joint-top scorer in 2014, finishing with 20 goals.
But a combination of niggling injuries and the Saints losing their way saw him net just seven times in the league last year.
Buckley’s charges diced with relegation until the final day of the season but he harbours European aspirations this year having reshaped his squad.
Getting Fagan firing though, will be key to their season.
Buckley (inset) said: “What Christy needs is to get chances. If he gets chances I’ve no doubt he’ll get his fair share of goals as he’s a qualify finisher.
“He has the work-rate in that position to get to crosses and there’s a game plan for him.
“Hopefully we get the best out of him this year. We’ve juggled a few things around to do so. He’s an integral part of it.
“We’re redrawing the picture in relation to what we’re trying to get from him – and the team.”
St Pat’s have also signed striker Jake Keegan – once of Galway United – who had been playing for Canadian outfit Edmonton.
Buckley added: “He’s what we were looking for and will add to the team.
“We want to be challenging the Corks, Rovers and Dundalks.
“From everybody’s perspective, we underachieved right across the board last year.
“But we’ve drawn a line under it and that’s it, it’s finished as far as we’re concerned. We’re looking forward, not behind.
“We’ve brought in good players and it’s an energetic group on top of the ones we kept from last year. Technically we’ve a really good group.” Saints start their campaign tomorrow against champions Cork City at Richmond Park.
Killian Brennan and Thomas Byrne are doubts after shipping pre-season knocks but otherwise Buckley expects to be at full strength.
He added: “Let’s cut to the chase here - Cork, Rovers and Dundalk have the resources.
“They can hand pick whoever they want. That’s the nature of the business and if I was in their shoes, I’d be doing the same.
“But we want to be tighter to that top four – that’s what you want for Europe and that’s a target for everybody.”