Dundalk tasted their maiden victory of the new year at Oriel Park on Tuesday night, as John Gill’s Lilywhites secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Premier Division side, Saint Patrick’s Athletic. Right-back, and captain for the evening, John Flanagan, who was the penalty missing villain against Drogheda last week, redeemed his Malone Cup error to plant a bullet header in the Saints’ top corner after only four minutes, an emphatic finish which proved to be the only goal of the game.
 
Following that opening strike, the visitors held the majority of possession, however, despite their dominance, they failed to open up Dundalk’s defence, as their only real effort of the first-half saw Aaron Shanahan do well to push a Max Cream shot behind. Upon the resumption, Johnny McDonnell’s side continued to hold more of the ball, however, after surviving a let-off as Robbie Farrell’s long-range curling shot came back off the post, the Inchicore club created their only meaningful opportunity of the half as Gary Dempsey saw his powerful effort also crash back off the woodwork.
 
For the game, home boss Gill made five changes to the side which lined-out against Drogheda the previous Thursday. Out went goalkeeper Chris Bennion, defender Aidan Lynch, midfielder Paul Shiels and strikers Trevor Vaughan and Robbie Martin - the latter being forced to miss out altogether with a foot injury having been initially named on the bench. Replacing that quintet were Aaron Shanahan, who made his first appearance for the club since 2005, Shane Grimes, Paul Marney, Robbie Farrell and Paul Smyth.
 
McDonnell, meanwhile, named a strong starting eleven which included regulars from last season Barry Ryan, Stephen Brennan, Stephen Paisley, Ryan Guy, Joseph Ndo and Alan Kirby, along with new signings Jamie Harris (Dunfermline), Gary Dempsey (Yeovil) and David Partridge (Brentford). Forwards Mark Quigley and Gary O’Neill - who notched up 23 Premier League goals between them in 2007 - then both entered at the break, while, on the trialist front, the starting strike partnership was an interesting pairing of Max Cream (a 20-year-old from Los Angeles) and Lauren Merlin (a 23-year-old from France - ex-Marseille). Star midfielder Keith Fahey and new defender Joe O'Cearuill both watched from the stands.
 
Despite a list of quality names on their team-sheet, however, it was the First Division side who started the brighter, and they took the lead inside four minutes. A David Crawley corner from the right was delivered at pace and perfectly for the in-rushing John Flanagan, who connected on the full to bury the ball in Barry Ryan’s top corner for Dundalk’s first goal of 2008. It was also Flanagan’s first goal since heading the same player’s assist for the opener against Kilkenny City at Oriel Park on 17 May last.
 
Shortly after that early thunderbolt, a Davie O’Connor cross from the right was headed wayward by Jamie Duffy from a good position, before Pats began to get more of a hold on the game. And, their dominance in possession almost led to the equaliser on 20 minutes. With nothing seemingly on, Cream turned smartly and unleashed a stinging 25-yard shot, which Shanahan - making his first start in League of Ireland football since November 2006 - did brilliantly to push behind for a corner. Moments later, the young net-minder was again called into action, as he this time saved from Merlin, after the striker had been set-up by a perfect through-ball from Dempsey.
 
That was to prove the last opening for either side in the opening period as, despite the visitors holding the majority of the ball, both teams cancelled each other out for the remainder of the half. Into the second-half, and as Pats continued to go in search of a leveller, they were almost caught for a second on 58 minutes following a fine move from the hosts. The ball eventually landed at the feet of striker Farrell, whose delightful curling effort from 25-yards seemed destined for the top corner, only for the ball to crash back off the inside of the post and safely into the grateful arms of substitute ‘keeper, Brendan Clarke.
 
Soon after, Farrell again went close, however, his goal-bound strike was deflected behind after the hitman had linked up well with Grimes on the left. Two minutes later, and after soaking up that Dundalk pressure, Pats were again on the attack and came within inches of levelling. After Ian Ryan had initially thwarted a forward move following another superb through-ball into the home box, the ball rebounded to Dempsey twelve-yards from goal. However, the 27-year-old was unlucky with his effort as he saw his well struck shot come back off the upright with Shanahan beaten, in a move which proved the creator to the last clear-cut chance of the night.
 
Dundalkfc.com Man of the Match: John Flanagan (Dundalk)…Flanagan, carrying the captain’s armband in the absence of Aidan Lynch, was arguably Dundalk’s best performer, on a night where the home defence had to be strong and sharp to secure the club’s first win of the year. Part of a backline which has now gone over 180 minutes without conceding in 2008, Flano also proved to be the key man in attack here, as he headed home the winner for his first goal in nine months. Having started last season with a bang as he fired in five goals in his first ten appearances, Flano, not helped by an ankle injury, went on a goal drought from thereon, however, goals like this one could prove pivotal if Dundalk are to earn promotion come November. Never seems to be below par and crucial to a successful season for the Louth club - class act.