Frozen out

The Shantallow man hasn’t played since being substituted in the 3-3 draw with Longford Town back on May 13th and has been a frustrated spectator for much of the season.

After a fall-out with Buckley, McEleney opted to stay in Inchicore and attempt to claw his way back into contention after the mid-season break.

However, he feels he hasn’t been given a fair chance at the Dublin club and reckons he’ll see little game time from now until the end of the current campaign.

The out-of-favour defender believes his time at the Saints is nearing an end and he’s refused to rule out the possibility of a return to Derry City should the opportunity arise.

“I played the first phase of games at centre half and we were doing fairly well in the league,” said McEleney who joined St Pat’s in July 2015.

“We were third and things were going reasonably well and then he (Buckley) took me out and tried to play me up front. I’m never a striker and it’s just one of those things.

“We had words after that and that’s the way football is. I know myself I won’t play now for the rest of the year. I was disappointed because I left home to go down to Dublin and I gave a good account of myself in the first phase of games. It didn’t work out and I’ll move on from it.”

With his days at Richmond Park seemingly numbered, McEleney is keeping his options opened. Shamrock Rovers were understood to be interested in taking the former N. Ireland U21 international to Tallaght until Pat Fenlon was sacked last month. And McEleney refused to dismiss talk of returning to his former stomping ground at Brandywell when asked last night.

“I wouldn’t think I would struggle to get another team. I’ll keep myself as fit as I can and, hopefully, I can get another team for next year. I was bothered about it for a long time but I’m over it now.”