St. Patrick's Athletic Football Club was established in 1929. Richmond Park, their home ground, was originally a British army barracks. The Saints were prominent in the Leinster Senior League before gaining League of Ireland status in 1951. They quickly showed their promise, too, winning the 1951/52 title in their first season, playing out of Glenmalure Park in Milltown, the home of rivals Shamrock Rovers. Amazingly, they won yet again in 1954/55 and 1955/56, and were runners-up in the 1954 FAI Cup Final, making their first few years in the League of Ireland very successful indeed. At that stage they had left Milltown, and were playing in Chapelizod.

1956 saw the Saints move to Dalymount Park, and while playing there, their FAI Cup dream was finally realised when they defeated Waterford in the final of 1959, after a replay. They moved again, this time back to Richmond Park, in 1960, and were Cup winners yet again the following year.

Alas, from then on, there was very little glory coming Inchicore way, until the successful period of the '90's. Losing in FAI Cup Finals in 1967, 1974 and 1980, while remaining more or less mid-table in the League, brought little reward. However, a few jewels were unearthed, including one Paul McGrath, who came to be known as "The Black Pearl of Inchicore".

And then, in 1986, one man called Brian Kerr was appointed manager of the Saints. Previously assistant manager of Drogheda United, he now faced a great task with a team that desperately needed a few trophies to fill the almost bare trophy cabinet. They won the Leinster Senior Cup that year, beating Bohemians, but everyone wanted more.

Kerr introduced many players, which the whole League and Irish soccer in general, would come to appreciate greatly. Curtis Fleming, who went on to play for Ireland, Mark Ennis, who went on to be a prolific scorer for the Inchicore team, and many others, were brought to Richmond Park. Many players who had been with Kerr at Drogheda United came with him to St. Patrick's Athletic.

Although many people doubted such a young team could produce the glory wanted, they were almost proved wrong. On a eventful night in Oriel Park, Dundalk, in 1988, the young Supersaints battled with a much more experienced Dundalk side. Present Shelbourne star Pat Fenlon scored for the Saints, to match Dundalk's goal, but a win was needed for Pats, and the Lilywhites took the title.

Disappointment reigned in Inchicore after coming so close, but not for long, as in 1990, they secured the title in United Park, Drogheda. The subsequent break-up of that team meant that Kerr had to start all over again.

At that time St. Patrick's were playing out of Harold's Cross, as Richmond Park was being redeveloped. However in 1993, the club came within a half hour of extinction, and due to the efforts of a group of supporters, they were saved.

This was the turning point for the Saints, with a new board of directors and determined fans, they returned to Richmond Park that year. Brian Kerr soon put together a squad capable of winning something, and in April 1996, the loss of 1988 was avenged, as the now Supersaints beat the Champions, Dundalk, with a 89th minute stunner from Paul "Soupy" Campbell, winning the title. This was the first League title won while Pats were playing at Richmond Park, and was celebrated in great style. A Cup Final was also reached, but was eventually lost, due to a late Stephen Geoghegan goal in the replay.

However, in December 1996, just after Kerr celebrated 10 years at the club, he announced his resignation to become Irish Youth Manager. The news was greeted in Inchicore with sadness, but when chief executive Pat Dolan was appointed manager, it was to prove crucial.

Patricks, having just missed out on the Intertoto Cup and European football that season, started the new one with a completely new squad, including three of Brian Kerr's protegés, Under-20 stars Thomas Morgan, Trevor Molloy, and Colin Hawkins. 1997/98 became a season which few will ever forget. After a long tussle with League rivals Shelbourne in the FAI Cup, the Saints were eventually knocked out on penalties in the second replay. Shelbourne looked to beat them to the title as well, leading by 2 points with 1 game to go, but that was where the story changed - a 2-1 defeat to Dundalk in Oriel Park, plus a Pats win in Kilkenny, gave the title to the Supersaints, in Dolan's first season as manager.

European football followed and a place in the Champions League qualifiers. This was the first time the Saints would compete in this competition and the atmosphere around Inchicore was electric. Especially so, when they drew Scottish side Celtic! This was the toughest draw possible, but Pat Dolan's side prepared, and with 1,500 Supersaints cheering them on, they drew 0-0 in Celtic Park, Glasgow. Despite losing 2-0 in the second leg in Dublin, that night will never be forgotten.

When the League season finally resumed for the 1998/99 season, yet more surprises were in store. Following the Supersaints' opening game, a 1-0 win in the Brandywell, where they had not won in some time, Pat Dolan announced he was resigning as manager. His successor was Liam Buckley, player and assistant manager to Brian Kerr with the 1996 League winning team. And another stunning season followed, with St. Patricks and Cork City leading the pack, and challenging each other for nearly the whole season. It finally culminated in an encounter in Richmond Park between the two sides, with just two games left, and the Champions won it, with a goal from Paul Osam. They went on to take the title for the second time in a row.