The following few days before our opening game against Drogheda United went by without much to talk about.
I went back to England to see how Emma was getting on. Unfortunately there was no change, not that I expected any to be honest.
I also announced that Stephen Brennan was to keep the captain's armband during my stay as gaffer. Two days before I was due to lead my team out in our first match, I got word from one of my feelers saying that Steven Canning had chosen Dumbarton over us. Fine then. If he doesn't want to be part of history that's his problem. Some good news did actually come out of my transfer targets. Tristan Plumber, the 17 year old lad from Bristol City had agreed terms and was on his way to Dublin and would be here in time to play against Drogheda. He was followed by Luke McCormack, my new goalkeeper.
When Luke reported in, I realised that my squad was slightly too large and I didn't plan on using a 'Rafa' rotation system. So I placed Brendan Clarke, David Partidge, Bobby Ryan, Paul Murphy, Keith Fahey and Glen Fitzpatrick on the transfer list. Ryan was the most annoyed by it as he'd only just arrived. When he found out, he came bursting through my door.
"What the hell are you playing at?" He screamed at me. "Who do you think you are? I was brought here to take St. Pat's forward by Mr. McDonald. You have no right to put me up for sale."
"Actually I do." I said calmly. "Mr. O'Callaghan has given me full responsibilities of a manager at this club and that includes the buying and selling of players that I deem not good enough." I paused for a moment to read his expression. A nasty look flashed on his face. He knew what was coming. "And I'm afraid, you are one of the few players I deem not good enough. Sorry." I then changed my expression to a 'I'm the boss' expression. "Now, don't you ever challenge my decisions again!" With that I gestured for him to leave my office and he didn't hang around.
The day finally came around for my first competitive match in charge of St. Pat's Athletic. An All Ireland Cup group game against Drogheda at United Park. I just wish Emma could've seen me. I was getting John to record the match anyway so she could watch it when she woke up.
My first team I picked for this important match was,
L. McCormack, S. Brennan, D. Rogers, J. O'Cearuill, S. Paisley, R. Guy, M. Keane, J. Ndo, G. Dempsey, A. Fernandez & M. Quigley. My substitute's bench consisted of B. Ryan, A. Kirby, D. Byrne, T. Plummer, J. Harris, D. Lynch & G. O'Neill.
Drogheda United 2, St. Patrick's Atheltic 0.
The team put in a tremendous shift for me and worked their socks off but it wasn't enough. Fernandez and Quigley were denied time and again by Vilmunen in the opposite goal and McCormack had a shocker of a debut. It was a shame as we had as much of the game as the Drogs. Lady luck had smiled on Drogheda, leaving me to pick up my team. I turned to them and said that they were extremely unlucky not to have got anything out of that game. After the lads got dressed and got on the team bus, I sat on one of the benches in the dressing room and put my head in my hands. Have I dug myself into too much of a hole by taking this job. Am I going to mess up John McDonald's hard work? I thought to myself... | 
