St Patrick’s Athletic have announced that they are to play a friendly against Poland’s Wisla Krakow.
The Eastern European country’s most successful soccer club in recent years will face St Pat’s at Richmond Park on Tuesday 13 November.
The Polish side have been crowned domestic champions on five occasions since 1999 and the club’s current squad boasts eight full Polish internationals. The team currently lies in first place in the Polish championship.
The friendly is a big coup for St Pat’s, as Wisla have been a growing presence in European football. In July the Poles travelled to the US where they won the inaugural Chicago Trophy, beating reigning Uefa Cup champions Sevilla FC in the final at Soldier Field.
St Pat’s manager Johnny McDonnell said he was delighted to bring such a big club to Richmond Park: “The members of the Polish community living in Dublin love their football and we have seen increased attendance from Polish supporters at our matches in the Eircom League of Ireland in recent seasons. With the Polish national team doing so well, next month’s match at Richmond Park will be a wonderful occasion for all involved. It also presents a good test and a tough challenge for my players.”
Wisla coach Maciej Skorza welcomed the opportunity to play an Irish club in Dublin. “The timing of this match is ideal,” he said. “The domestic season in Poland commenced in September so my players are in great condition right now.
“The St Patrick’s Athletic team have made great progress this season and the challenge for us will be stiff, but with so many Polish people living in Dublin I expect Wisla to feel right at home in Richmond Park.”
Tickets for the match (priced at 30/20 euro) are now on sale, available from Richmond Park and at selected outlets in Moore St Mall Shopping Centre (on the corner of Moore St and Parnell St). The match is set for a 7.45pm kick-off. For further details visit www.stpatsfc.com
