New St Pat's era under Kenny begins with Derry defeat

After six years away, Stephen Kenny fell to a narrow defeat upon his return to the league he once dominated.

Paul McMullan's single late goal was enough to spoil Kenny's night and maintain Derry's pressure on league-leaders Shelbourne.

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It was all smiles around a sunny Richmond Park prior to kick-off. And there was perhaps no bigger grin than that of St Pat's owner Garret Kelleher, who beamed from the stands having finally got his chosen man on an extraordinary six-season contract.

Kelleher has been desperate for success ever since Stephen O'Donnell controversially walked out on the club following the 2021 FAI Cup win. This appointment though, could yet seal his St Patrick’s legacy.

Speaking on Thursday, Kenny made clear that he wasn’t joining the club as an employee. Rather, he said, Kelleher recruited him as a "partner" responsible for driving the club.

Beyond that, there were promises of American tours, new investment and a stadium redevelopment.

While all of that is yet to be seen, Kenny has the tough job of delivering on the pitch first.

Considering the Saints have just one win in their last eight games, that won't be an easy task.

Inflicting defeat tonight was Ruaidhrí Higgins, Kenny's former player and later opposition analyst with the Republic of Ireland.

Higgins is one of a number of former Kenny employees throughout the league - with the former national team manager set to face his former coach Damien Duff on Monday night.

While the Candystripes didn't play the Saints off the park tonight, it marked their eighth win in their last 11 league meetings with the Inchicore side.

So what did Kenny’s first St Pat’s team look like?

The 52-year-old made only two changes to the starting XI that caretaker Sean