Stop it, Paddy. Just stop it.
At 24 years of age, the man they call ‘Fats’ in Derry is blossoming into a top class footballer.
What McEleney can do with a ball at his feet is no secret but he’s just getting better and better and, honestly, it’s starting to get a little frightening.
Ever since he was ripping it up with Derry City as a teenager, his reputation as a deadly attacking midfielder has grown and grown. He’s tricky, he’s confident, he’s quick and he can thread a pass but, by Jesus, he can shoot too. From anywhere. He’ll back himself and he’ll more than likely bring the best out of the keeper or the woodwork if he doesn’t rip the net.
It’s no bloody wonder Stephen Kenny came calling for McEleney when Dundalk lost Richie Towell and, in truth, there was no better man to fill that void.
He’s playing with a swagger at the league champions now and, on Saturday, he helped them bounce back from defeat to Derry with a complete and utter slaying of St. Pat’s, winning 3-0 at Oriel Park.
Only Patrick McEleney could pick the ball up in this position and think, ‘yep… I can probably score from here.’
He carries it straight through the opposition defence, weaving by four different challenges and, from the most ridiculous of angles, he chips the ball over the head of the ‘keeper in glorious fashion.
So audacious, so clever, so bloody good.
A goal to watch over and over again – Patrick McEleney's moment of brilliance against St Pat's #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/nYqhj1WJZd
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 21, 2017
And it won plenty of admirers.
Could watch this all day.. what a finish! #LOI 👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/ZEEDdBeZ6e
— Stephanie Zambra (@StephanieRoche9) March 21, 2017
Pleasure to watch Patrick McEleney tonight. He's got it!! ⚽️
— Alan Cawley (@alancaw) March 18, 2017
Sensational goal from Patrick McEleney! Full highlights 👇🏻 #LOI https://t.co/fhxlJqtFHe
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 22, 2017
There’s a bargain here for someone.
https://twitter.com/CianByNature/status/840595955875483648
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