St Patrick's FPs have their eyes on silverware as new season kicks off

St Patrick’s FPs have been back in training for over a month now as they attempt to win a fourth league title in a row.

As well as aiming to retain their league title for the fourth year in succession, John O’Brien men are also targeting success in the league, district and national cup competitions - after a frustrating 2022/23 campaign that saw them experienced league success - but defeated in three cup semi-finals.

Saints have now completed their pre-season schedule ahead of the big kick off this month - with varying degrees of success.

A challenging run of games against good opposition brought three matches against West of Scotland League teams and two games against sides playing in the Caledonian Premier League.

These games gave the coaching staff the opportunity to try out different formations and systems whilst getting valuable game time in for the large squad of players.

It was also a good time to view the club’s five new signings in competitive matches.

Saints boss John O’Brien said: “Preseason is really all about raising fitness levels and although the players have their complaints about lack of ball work, they will be thanking us when the season kicks off.

“To be fair to the squad, the numbers at training have been good and they really worked hard and pushed themselves physically in every session."

Saints head coach Zander Diamond, a former SPL defender with Aberdeen and Scotland B international, added: “We have pushed the players hard with three sessions every week, but even this early we’ve noticed a difference with individuals strength and conditioning.

“That was especially evident against the three West of Scotland League teams where we didn’t look inferior to any of them.”

And Saints coach Kevin Goodwin