ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC captain Ger O’Brien has sang the praises of team-mate Christy Fagan for his contribution this season.
The Saints striker has been in fabulous goalscoring form this term, and bagged his 18th league goal of 2014 in the 3-1 win over Bohemians on Tuesday night — meaning he leads Dundalk’s Paddy Hoban by one as the Premier Division’s top marksman.
With Anto Flood gone to Australia and Mark Quigley battling for form and fitness, the former Bohemians forward has had to carry much of the burden up top. And, if Fagan can find the back of the net twice in the remaining three league fixtures, he will become the first Pat’s player in over 50 years to reach 20 goals.
“He shared the load last year with Bisto,” O’Brien said. “When Christy came out of form or stopped scoring, Bisto came on and chipped in and vise versa. With Mark (Quigley) struggling with injuries this year, the emphasis has been on Christy and he has led the line fantastically.
“He has 18 league goals and I don’t think any Pat’s player has had 20 in 50-odd years. He has two to go and it would be a great little milestone for him personally.”
On Fagan’s future beyond this season, O’Brien added: “You hope he is going to be at Pat’s (next season). He has got 18 league goals, he’s a very good player and I’ve played with him for four or five years between Bohs and here. He’s a fantastic player to have around the dressing room as well but, listen, he’s doing well.”
“We want our best players to go on and play. I’ve had this conversation before. If you asked me would he go to England, I’d rather him go off to the continent as he is that type of player. He takes it in, he passes it, he scores goals. All the game is with the ball.
“We’ll let Christy and Liam (Buckley) worry about that at the end of the season. Players come and go but he is with us now and is a massively important for us and I’m just glad that he is putting on the shirt for us.”
