STEPHEN KENNY has admitted that a title charge is beyond St Pat’s in the short term.
Kenny suffered defeat in his first game in charge of the Inchicore club against Derry City on Friday.
That, coupled with Shelbourne’s win over Waterford, means the Saints remain in seventh, 12 points adrift of Damien Duff’s side whom they host on Monday.
And, although that game will offer them the chance to narrow the gap, Kenny has no expectation of finishing top of the pile at the end of the year.
Kenny said: “I wouldn’t think we’re in this title race being realistic.
“I looked at the squad and didn’t feel we would be ready for a title challenge realistically, I knew that for sure.
“I don’t know, we’ll take it, we’ll see how it goes, I haven’t set targets. Obviously we’re looking to rebuild for next year as well. We want to win matches and finish up as high as we can.”
He reckons there are some similarities to when he took over Dundalk, whom he led to runners-up spot in his first season in charge, followed by four league titles in the next five years, but there is one key difference.
He said: “Dundalk, many people felt that was a bleak scenario when I took over. That was a very low budget, right down at that stage
“It’s completely different when you start pre-season and formulate a squad, it’s completely different. I don’t think anyone really expects us to challenge, I wouldn’t think so.
“Our squad is light, there’s no doubt about that. We’ve not got that many injuries but our bench is light as well. The squad definitely needs to be improved.
“The only player that has won the league is Chris Forrester back in 2013 so it’s a different profile of squad, although they did win the cup last year, a great day for the club.
“Shamrock Rovers are very strong squad wise. Derry have really added to their squad and that level of continuity when you’re just bringing in two players at the start of the year.
“Shelbourne had that at the start of the year, they didn’t bring many in and anyone they brought in has improved their team.
“That level of continuity you get. It’s nearly Ruaidhri Higgins’ fourth year, Damien’s third year, it’s a good place to be.”
Kenny appointed Duff to his Ireland coaching staff only for the competitive winger to step down after the first Nations League campaign.
The Shels boss had been critical of performances of Kenny’s reign, saying that, after John O’Shea’s appointment as interim boss, he was looking forward to watching the team for the first time in a long time.
DUFF TALK
But Kenny insisted the pair maintained a good relationship ahead of pitting his wits against him.
He said: “Damien would always have texted me before every game and likewise I.
“I’ve talked to him, I’m not on the phone to him all the time or anything like that but we’d see each other at matches.
“I was at the Dundalk-Shels game pre-season because Eoin was playing in it and he invited me into his office for a quick chat and all that type of stuff.
“He’s a very good coach, obviously, he’s done a good job.
“He’s done very well and you can see a big improvement this year from the previous two years.
“He has good mix of experience as well, players and a balance in the team, players like Sean Gannon and Paddy Barrett coming into the team, previous league winners, you can see that, they’ve added to it.
“There’s a lot of good players in the team, they’ve done well and it’s that type of league this year where a lot of points have been dropped.”
Asked if Shels could maintain their charge, Kenny said: “I honestly don’t know. Only time will tell, they’ve done very well so far.
“Obviously the other two have stronger squads overall but Shels have done very well so anything is possible.”