St. Patrick’s Athletic will look to get their 2010 Airtricity League season off to a good start tonight when they host Galway United at Richmond Park. The new-look Saints squad is in good shape heading into the game, with Noel Haverty (hamstring) the only absentee.

Assistant Manager John Gill is hoping his team can avoid a repeat of 2009, when the club recorded four defeats against Galway United.

“Losing four times to Galway was especially difficult for everyone at the club to take last season and it would be great to get off to a winning start and put those matches behind us,” he said.

“Pre-season has gone very well, I am very happy with the work ethic and team spirit that’s been shown and we’ll be looking for more of that. We’re in for a hectic start with five competitive games in just over two weeks but I’d rather be playing matches than training.”

Galway United also boast a lot of new players going into the new season. One of those new signings, Bobby Ryan, will miss this match through suspension.