After six years away, Stephen Kenny fell to a narrow defeat upon his return to the league he once dominated.
Paul McMullan's single late goal was enough to spoil Kenny's night and maintain Derry's pressure on league-leaders Shelbourne.
FULL MATCH DETAILS
It was all smiles around a sunny Richmond Park prior to kick-off. And there was perhaps no bigger grin than that of St Pat's owner Garret Kelleher, who beamed from the stands having finally got his chosen man on an extraordinary six-season contract.
Kelleher has been desperate for success ever since Stephen O'Donnell controversially walked out on the club following the 2021 FAI Cup win. This appointment though, could yet seal his St Patrick’s legacy.
Speaking on Thursday, Kenny made clear that he wasn’t joining the club as an employee. Rather, he said, Kelleher recruited him as a "partner" responsible for driving the club.
Beyond that, there were promises of American tours, new investment and a stadium redevelopment.
While all of that is yet to be seen, Kenny has the tough job of delivering on the pitch first.
Considering the Saints have just one win in their last eight games, that won't be an easy task.
Inflicting defeat tonight was Ruaidhrí Higgins, Kenny's former player and later opposition analyst with the Republic of Ireland.
Higgins is one of a number of former Kenny employees throughout the league - with the former national team manager set to face his former coach Damien Duff on Monday night.
While the Candystripes didn't play the Saints off the park tonight, it marked their eighth win in their last 11 league meetings with the Inchicore side.
So what did Kenny’s first St Pat’s team look like?
The 52-year-old made only two changes to the starting XI that caretaker Sean O’Connor chose for last Friday’s 2-2 draw against Shamrock Rovers.
Captain Joe Redmond moved into a right-back position, while 16-year-old Mason Melia – who chipped home the equaliser at Tallaght Stadium last weekend – was again trusted to lead the line.
Accused by fans of spending too much time passing backwards this year, Kenny had the Saints playing at a heightened tempo throughout the first half.
The few times that Derry broke through midfield a desperate red shirt was urgently chasing them down.
For all that workrate though, it was Derry who mustered up the early half chances. Finding himself in behind, McMullan ricocheted a low shot off the legs of Danny Rogers.
Will Patching had another blocked, before Ben Doherty fired one over from a short corner routine.
It took well into the second half before the Saints began to really scare the Derry faithful here.
And it was Brandon Kavanagh — the former Derry City man — who nearly snatched the opener on 67 minutes.
Released down the left, the 23-year-old charged into the box before firing to the back post. However, defender Cameron McJannet halted the shot before anyone knew which side of the post it was heading.
While the Saints looked like pushing on, it was their lapse of concentration that ultimately wrapped it up for Derry.
Substitute Patrick McEleney cut through midfield and defence to unleash McMullan through on goal. And the Scottish winger made no mistake to ruin Kelleher and Kenny’s opening night.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Danny Rogers; Luke Turner, Conor Keeley (Ryan McLaughlin, 84), Joe Redmond, Anto Breslin; Jamie Lennon, Kian Leavy (Alex Nolan, 84), Chris Forrester (Romal Palmer, 84), Brandon Kavanagh (Aaron Bolger, 69); Jake Mulraney, Mason Melia (Ruairi Keating, 61).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce, Shane McEleney, Cameron McJannet, Ben Doherty (Michael Duffy, 59), Ciaran Coll; Adam O'Reilly, Will Patching (Cameron Dummigan, 74), Sadou Diallo (Patrick McEleney, 59); Paul McMullan (Daniel Kelly, 94), Pat Hoban.
Referee: Mark Houlihan.
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