Turner prize for patience

CENTRE-BACK BACK IN THE SIDE AFTER NEVER LOSING HOPE

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

LUKE TURNER is hoping he has timed his arrival to perfection as St Pat's chase silverware and a return to Europe.

The centre-back hasn't always found game time easy to come by since joining the Saints from Cliftonville under Jon Daly in January 2024.

He was quickly down the pecking order under Stephen Kenny, when the ex-Ireland boss succeeded Daly five months after Turner signed for the Inchicore outfit.

But injuries to Sean Hoare, Tom Grivosti and Anto Breslin have catapulted the 23-year-old - a St Pat's fan as a kid - back into the side at a key juncture in the season.

Saints booked their place in the semifinals of the FAI Cup with a 3-1 extra-time win over Galway United on Sunday - and face the same opponents in the league tonight.