‘The league can be fragile, no matter how big the club’ – Stephen Kenny

Inchicore was one of the spots where news was being monitored keenly, as the demise of Dundalk and a revised league table, with their results expunged, would have benefited St Patrick's Athletic and their bid to make it back into Europe.

That said, the club exiting the league would have horrified Saints manager Stephen Kenny, not only with his status as one of the club's most successful managers and the fact he still lives locally, but also the personal element as his son, Eoin, is a first team player at Oriel Park.

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"The league table would have been affected and it would have been a terrible scenario for all involved. We would have been one of the beneficiaries considering Dundalk have taken five points off us this year," says Kenny, his side in league action at home to Waterford tonight.

"Eoin loves the club because he was six when I took over, he's only really known that club. I was thinking of all the players who were there when I was there, Robbie Benson, Andy Boyle, Daryl Horgan, John Mountney who now all have children, or are soon to have children in one case. It's such a great club. Obviously the facilities haven't been upgraded but what the actual club means to people in the town is great.

"I am out of it a long time, I left in 2018, so it's not about me, there's a lot of good people there over the years, they went through different owners. Fair play to the people who have stepped up and saved the club, all the people that rallied around the club, the supporters, they have been terrific. The main thing is that the club is still in existence, if they stay up it's a bonus."

​Kenny's had tough times and tests in his managerial career. Speaking at the training ground which the club rents from the FAI, he recalled how his dismissal from his job at Bohemians in 2004 meant his family had quickly gone from having three incomes (when he was manager at Longford and had a job outside of football while his wife also worked) to having no income.

Domestic and European success under Kenny flooded the Dundalk coffers and brought in millions, money that's no longer there. It was confirmed by the Irish Independent in the last 24 hours that Dundalk's players have agreed to defer their wages this week to allow the new owners some breathing space – a scenario which Kenny endured during his second spell at Derry City..

"It was around that 2007 time, a lot of the Irish clubs went in there at that time, I'd come back from Scotland, I was at Derry, I experienced all that, going months and months without wages, all of the staff and players, they played their matches and trained every day, we were full time, but it was very tough. So I did experience it, it was one of the most difficult periods to experience," he said. ​

"We haven't heard much of that in the last decade, with any of the sizable clubs. But all of the facilities have stood still, which has been a big disappointment, apart from Tallaght Stadium and one or two others, a lot of the clubs have strong bases but it can be quite fragile, no matter how big the club is."

It was a defeat in Europe which cost him his job at Bohs in 2004 as that free-spending Celtic Tiger-era club had budgeted for progress, but he insists there's not the same pressure at St Pat's now and the budget for next season will not be impacted if they miss out.

"I don't think it's a huge differential," he said of a European place, aware that a running streak, continuing at home to Waterford, is key. "Waterford, when they beat us at the RSC, there was a substantial points deficit at that time [12]. If we were to win this one, it's down to two with a match in hand and that's the incentive for the players."

TONIGHT'S PREVIEWS

​Bohemians v Drogheda Utd (Dalymount Park, 7.45) Team news: Dawson Devoy returns from suspension but Adam McDonnell and James McManus are not available due to injury. United lose Luke Heeney to suspension. Zishim Bawa is out for the season; Shane Farrell needs a fitness test.

Talking point: Bohs have laboured against Drogheda this season but are unbeaten in five games. United struggle for clean sheets on the road.

Referee: Rob Harvey Odds: Bohemians 8/13, Drogheda 7/2, Draw 14/5 Verdict: Home win ​ Derry City v Shamrock Rvs (Brandywell, 7.45) Team news: City are still without Patrick McEleney and Cameron Dummigan, while Rovers are missing Aaron Greene, Aaron McEneff and Rory Gaffney. Seán Hoare will be assessed for the visitors but Graham Burke is expected to be fit.

Talking point: A season-defining three-game run for the Hoops starts here. Rovers have had the edge in their league meetings to date. ​

Referee: Damien MacGraith Odds: Derry 21/20, Rovers 23/10, Draw 11/5 Verdict: Draw ​ Galway Utd v Shelbourne (Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45) Team news: Jeannot Esua is a concern for Galway. Shels are missing JJ Lunney and Sam Bone, though Dean Williams and Seán Boyd are now fit.

Talking point: Shels have rivals chipping away at their lead at the top, and will have their energy tested by a fourth straight away game. ​

Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan Odds: Galway 5/4, Shels 11/5, Draw 2/1 Verdict: Draw ​ St Pat's Ath v Waterford (Richmond Park, 7.45) Team news: Pat's are without Romal Palmer and Cian Kavanagh; Alex Nolan is a doubt, but Kian Leavy returns. Waterford have a full squad. Talking point: Waterford need a reset to inject life back into their push for Europe; Pat's can deliver goals. Referee: Neil Doyle Odds: Pat's 6/10, Waterford 15/4, Draw 14/5 Verdict: Draw