ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC manager Stephen Kenny has called for supporters to show support for winger Jake Mulraney.
Mulraney was a high-profile arrival from Atlanta United in Major League Soccer at the start of last season, but has courted criticism from Pat’s fans this season. He was audibly criticised by sections of the home support in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers, missing a scoring chance early in the second half.
That marred what was broadly a good performance, however, as Mulraney was a constant threat to Rovers down Pat’s left side.
“I’d like the St Pat’s fans to take Jake to their hearts, I want him to get as much love and appreciation as he deserves”, said Kenny after a win against the champions that was secured by Brandon Kavanagh’s 96th-minute goal.
“He has made a big decision to come back from Atlanta, walking out on a very good contract to come back as he’s local, from Crumlin, back with his family, to live here and play here with the team closest to him.
“He needs to feel that appreciation, if he feels it all the time he will give it back in spades, because he’s a natural talent, exciting to watch. But he needs to feel appreciated. He’s one of the real talents in the league, that we should appreciate, not everyone has every attribute and we mustn’t look at what he doesn’t have and must appreciate what he does have.
“Probably because of the league position, a lot of players are dealing with criticism, it’s been an issue and handling it and that. And I think so it’s, but I wouldn’t put him in that category. But I do feel that when you really appreciate a player like that, skilful dribbler, innovative player, creative, they feel that level of appreciation, you get it back in spades.”
Kenny said he scouted Mulraney when he was Ireland boss as he sought an explosive, attacking wide player, but he did not receive a call-up.
The victory over Rovers was crucial for Pat’s ahead of the mid-season break, as it saw them leap from eighth to sixth in the table, with 27 points from 23 games. They trail league leaders Shelbourne by 16 points having played a game more, and are four points from the European spots, with two extra games played compared to incumbents Waterford.
“There’s a lot of work to do here, just because we won the game doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of work to do, we know we have work ahead, we are far from perfect. We got a good win and it was a great performance”, said Kenny.
Reporting by David Sneyd
Wow the FA actually showing a bit of backbone and rescinding a red card! If there’s any justice Costa will get a ban and Mike Dean get a warning for a shocking performance, playing up to the big game as usual
Costa did get a ban.
My comment was before the ban was announced. Delighted for the tramp
Give Costa the 3 match ban instead! Filthy animal
Costa got a 3 match ban
Just saw that now. Justice!!
costa nearly as bad as philly mc mahon
Nearly….. But , nice boys get nice girls nice boys don’t win all Ireland’s
any chance you could show a clip of the incident? never saw it
Youtube.
I never commented that
I got fraped lads
https://youtu.be/o68jQjPCDtU
Should they not remove the charge for failing to leave the pitch seeing as they justified that hos argument at the time was correct?
Feck all this lads! Eva Carneiro just left Chelsea and is looking for a new job
I’d give her a job.
Or would it be roles reversed if ya get my meaning….
in fairness though he did commit two yellow card offenses. Costa was a disgrace but Gabriel chose to get involved in the first place
It’s all a bit late Chelsea get the win and Wenger blames everyone else for Arsenal choking in another big game.
Mourinho’s next press conference should be interesting.
Why did they charge him them ?
premier league now full of pussies. thought central defenders were meant to e big hard men, not going crying to the media or the fa coz a striker bullied them
The very striker you’re referring to went crying and whinging to the referee at every opportunity
that’s why I’m saying they’re all pussies
also to be fair, I haven’t heard Koscielny or Gabriel say anything to the media. The referee is the one that referred it to the FA.
Mourinho’s gonna need a doctor. Oh…
Fareplay
I can see the potential for a lengthy ban for Costa here. they could total up every incident as a separate red card offense
Even though he’s a p rick I wouldn’t agree with that. They’d have to do it to everyone else if that was the case.
Oh I definitely don’t think it would be fair bit there was a lot that the ref didn’t see and that’s their specific role
Do you even think about half the bulls hit that comes out your mouth??
to be clear I was referring to the Koscielny incident, the Gabriel incident and the Chambers incident. All of which were not seen properly by the ref. That’s the exact requirement for the FA to look into it. I didn’t say I wanted it to be done that way or that it would be fair. Can’t quite see how that got you so riled up.
“Brazilian striker” haha nice dig.
to be fair, he’s not Spanish
Mourinho tomorrow…….conspiracy against Chelsea, they are all out to get him………blah blah