Dundalk FC player and Athlone native Robbie Benson, left, with Dundalk manager Stephen O'Donnell. Both were at St Patrick's Athletic last year, which has added spice to the RTE-televised game between the two clubs tonight (Friday).

Athlone's Benson to face former club in televised clash this evening

Adrian Cusack

Published: Fri 8 Apr 2022, 2:47 PM

Last updated: Fri 8 Apr 2022, 3:01 PM

Dundalk midfielder and Athlone native Robbie Benson will return to Inchicore this evening to face St Patrick's Athletic for the first time since leaving the Dublin club at the end of last year.

Benson (29), originally from Mayfield Grove, was a St Pat's player for two seasons and scored the penalty that sealed their shootout win in the FAI Cup final against Bohemians last November.

That kick proved to be his final act in a St Pat's shirt.

The St Pat's manager at the time, Stephen O'Donnell, controversially departed for Dundalk shortly after the cup final and Benson then followed O'Donnell back to Oriel Park, where he had previously spent four years.

The return of O'Donnell and Benson to Richmond Park has added an extra layer of intrigue to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division meeting between St Pat's and Dundalk tonight.

The game is being shown live on RTE Two and it kicks off at 7.45pm, with the television coverage starting at 7.30pm.

Speaking to LMFM, Benson said he was prepared for the possibility of a hostile reception from the St Pat's fans tonight.

"It could go either way. It depends on the form (the St Pat's fans) are in when they see me," he said.

"From my point of view, there's nothing but good memories of my time at Pat's. It was just the right move for me, at the end of last season, to move on.

"That's the game we're in. I could get booed with every touch, or I might get a nice reception. At the end of the day, you look forward to atmospheres and games like this.

"When the fixtures were announced everyone would have been looking out for this one.

"If it was at the start of the season it would have got a big reaction, from pre-season build-up and stuff, but even though it's a long time coming the build-up is still quite big, which is great," said the former Marist College student.

Athlone Town, who sit at the bottom of the First Division, with just one point from seven games, travel to take on their Midlands neighbours Longford Town tomorrow (Saturday), with the game kicking off at 7.30pm.