Match Report by Steve Duffy

Dundalk’s recent record against St. Pats made for grim reading going into the game.  Their last victory coming in a 2-0 win at Oriel in the ‘98/99 season, with Tom McNulty scoring the winner.  The bad run continued on Friday night as Dundalk remain pointless on their travels so far this season.  The game ended 2-0 with goals either side of the half from Mark Leech and substitute Kyle Moran.  This proved to be enough to seal victory for the Dubliners.  In a game of few chances Pat’s were more the clinical in front of goal.

Manager Sean Connor made no changes from the team that beat Drogheda 3-0 the previous week.  The team lined out in a typical 4-4-2 formation with O’Callaghan given more of a freer role, tucking into the middle whenever Dundalk got possession.  The early signs were good for Dundalk as Shaun Kelly showed his intent, knocking the ball past his marker and crossing into Declan O’Brien on a couple of occasions.  But the Pat’s defence, marshalled by the big captain Jason Gavin, was giving no breathing space to the Dundalk forwards.  Pat’s gradually got on top.  Darragh Ryan was proving to be a nuisance down the right with Kelly exposed at times Ryan  made clever runs in behind him.  On the 16th minute he got to the by-line and fired a low cross from the left into the 6 yard box.  Rogers facing his own goal managed to get to it first and clip it over the bar, clearing the danger for a corner.

St. Pats started to look more and more comfortable on the ball.  Pacey wingers Guy on the right and Ryan on the left were a constant threat.  Dundalk used Darren Mansaram as an outlet and played balls into him looking for him to hold up play.  On the 26th minute Mansaram and Dundalk had a huge shout for a penalty turned down.  Turner clipped a ball into Mansaram’s path and he showed great strength getting in front of Gavin, just as he entered the box Gavin looked to have tripped him from behind.  From were I stood it looked like a penalty but the ref adjudged it not to be and he waved play on.  This decision came at a crucial point and it could well be seen as the turning point of the game, after that Dundalk’s passing got sloppy.  Chris Turner gave away a free 30 yards out for a tug on Aiden Cawley’s shirt when he was jumping for a  ball and from the resulting kick Mark Leech rose highest to head home.

Dundalk nearly found themselves two down early in the second half, a neat one-two between Guy and Leech ended with Bennion making a good save from a attempted lob by Guy.  Dundalk then moved up a gear, it was in stark contrast to how they finished the first.  The passing seemed a lot crisper and there was a lot more urgency to the play.  It was evident that O’Callaghan was looking to play early balls, switching the play to Singh or one of the other attackers. 

Shaun Kelly made way for Simon Kelly on the 51st minute, seconds after getting booked for a deliberate block.  Simon Kelly’s first bit of action sees him challenge in a 50/50 with Mark Leech.  Leech came off the worse and had to be stretchered off.  Dundalk came more into it and get there first corner of the match on the 55th minute, but O’Callaghan’s effort failed to beat the first man.  Singh then managed to work himself a bit of space and delivered a cross toward Turner at the back post.  But the ref blew for a foul on Rogers in the Pat’s goal.  It was six of one and half a dozen of the other, but these decisions always go with the goalkeepers.  Rogers stayed down for treatment to the obvious displeasure of the Dundalk fans behind his goal. 

O’Brien, O’Callaghan, Turner then combined for Dundalk’s best move of the match with tight interchanging of passes that lead to O’Callaghan putting a through ball in for Daly.  Daly had no right to get on the end of the pass but he snatched it off Alan Cawley and his shot had the keeper beat all ends up but unfortunately it only rattled the bar, not the net.  The large crowd of Dundalk fans that travelled to Richmond upped the volume even more, taken up residency in the aptly named ‘shed end’.

Dundalk faded away after the bright start to the second half and Daly’s shot was to prove to be their best chance of the match.  Michael McGinlay then replaced O’Brien up front.  On the 78th minute Pat’s got a corner and from it Dundalk native (pre season trialist) Kyle Moran reached a Jason Gavin Flick on first to stab the ball home for Pat’s 2nd and all but kill the game off, again conceded by from a set play.

Dundalk found it hard to play ball in the final third and St. Pat’s were quick to close down and when in possession St. Pat’s to their credit, kept it well.  The referee didn’t help the matter; being very whistle happy and blowing for any little innocuous challenge.  In the end Dundalk were lucky not to be beat by three.  Bennion was beat to ball by Guy who rushed his shot, missing virtually an open goal.  Mulvenna came on for Heary in injury time but St. Pat’s played out what was left comfortably.

Sean Connor and the team will be disappointed with the loss but can’t have many complaints.  All eyes now turn to Sligo next week and with a need to improve.  Sligo, getting a point away at Galway this past Friday, will be another tough test.  There really are no easy games in this division.

Dundalk
Bennion; Shaun Kelly (Simon Kelly 51), Rogers, Burns, Heary (Mulvenna 90), Turner, O'Callaghan, Daly, Singh, O'Brien (McGinlay 75), Mansaram.

St Patrick's Athletic
Rogers; Lynch, Gavin, Partridge, Stevens; Ryan, Dempsey, Cawley, Guy; Quigley, Leech.
Officials
Referee: T Connolly