Mark Griffin scored for the fifth league game running to write himself into the club’s history books but Dundalk had to be content with a point as a double from ex-Lilywhite Derek Doyle gave Saint Patrick’s Athletic’s a 2-2 draw at Richmond Park on Sunday afternoon, after Keith Ward had given the visitors the lead early in the second half. Doyle, who won a First Division medal with the Louth club in 2008, gave the Saints the lead after just 12 minutes. But Griffin replied past the half-hour mark to join illustrious names in the club’s all-time scoring charts, and he assisted Ward for the lead goal five minutes into the second half as he connected with Ross Gaynor’s corner, with the young midfielder tapping in. However, the home side levelled on the hour through Doyle, and Dundalk had Peter Cherrie to thank for the point as he brilliantly denied Doyle a hat-trick on 72.
Half centuries
With Shane Guthrie returning to St. Pat’s earlier in the week as Dundalk boss Ian Foster chose not to extend his loan deal until the end of the season, the Lilywhites travelled to the capital without a recognised centre-half and only 11 fit outfield players. Dean Bennett again took his place at the heart of defence, for the sixth game running, where he was joined by captain Simon Madden. Stephen Maher was handed his first start in almost four months as he slotted in at right-back, where he spent most of his one-year spell at Richmond Park in 2009. For Maher, it marked his 50th competitive appearance for the club, while 18-year-old Nathan Murphy also reached the same milestone, with the left-back believed to be the youngest ever player to get to the half century for Dundalk. Meanwhile, Guthrie started for the hosts.
Pat’s pressure
Cherrie’s hands were warmed in the opening minutes when an attempted clearance by Madden rebounded off Doyle but the Scottish ‘keeper gratefully gathered. After Doyle’s header then posed no danger to the goal, Evan McMillan went within inches of giving the home side the lead when his header from a Daryl Kavanagh free-kick just failed to bend into the top corner. The Saints’ bright start continued soon after as Paul Crowley tried his luck from 30-yards and a tremendous effort came crashing back off the post. However, from a corner seconds later, St. Pat’s hit the front as Kavanagh’s delivery was met by a superb volley from Doyle 12-yards out. Past the quarter-hour and it could have been 2-0 as McMillan rose to meet another Kavanagh corner but Cherrie saved on the line, although a free-out had been awarded in any case.
Griffin leveller
Dundalk should have been level on 20 minutes when Mark Quigley put in Griffin with an inch-perfect through-ball, but, for the first time since coming into the team, he failed to be clinical as he shot wide with just Gary Rogers to beat. Shortly after, the former Saint almost found Ward in the box with a neat ball over the top but McMillan headed clear. It could have been 2-0 on 26 minutes as Doyle got in at the back post but his shot was brilliantly blocked behind by Cherrie. Coming up to the half-hour mark, the Lilywhites came more into it and began to hold possession, with Quigley twice trying his luck from outside the box, the first one seeing Rogers get down to hold a 35-yard effort before the second shot flew over the bar. Dundalk did find an equaliser, though, on 33 minutes as Maher made a fantastic burst into the box down the right, getting past Guthrie, and putting a low cross in for Griffin who smashed to the net from ten-yards.
Turnaround
That goal saw Griffin write himself into the history books as he became the first player since Mick Fairclough in 1981/82 to score in five league games on the bounce. The record, incidentally, is held jointly by Danny Hale (1966/67) and Cathal Muckian (1978/79) on seven, while Hale holds the record for most goals in a row in competitive games as he added an FAI Cup goal during that run in the 60s. After that, St. Pat’s looked to get back in front but Maher made a brilliant tackle to deny Doyle a chance of a shot while at the other end Daniel Kearns just failed to get on the end of a Ross Gaynor pull-back. The home side had a penalty shout late in the half as Anto Murphy appeared to be pushed in the back from a Kavanagh free-kick but nothing was given as for the 16th time in 22 league outings this season the Saints went in level at the break. On 49 minutes, Quigley forced Rogers into a fine save as he tipped a dipping shot over. But, from the resulting corner, Dundalk hit the front as Gaynor’s delivery was met by Griffin, with Ward tapping in from close range.
Doyle leveller
At the other end, Kavanagh drove over as St. Pat’s looked for a leveller, which they got on the hour mark. Kavanagh was the provider and again Doyle found the net as he got in at the back post and beat Cherrie. On 68 minutes, superb link-up play between Ward and Griffin gave the latter a chance for a shot but it was blocked behind. From the corner, Kearns’ initial delivery was cleared but it came back out to him, his second effort causing problems before Pat’s cleared. Moments later, after good work by Maher and a foul on Griffin on the edge of the box, Quigley curled a free-kick narrowly over the top corner. On 72 minutes, Doyle forced Cherrie into a wonderful point-blank save as he kept the visitors level. Seven minutes from time, Doyle again searched for his hat-trick as he got a shot away from inside the box but it went the wrong side of its intended target. Guthrie then flicked on a Derek Pender free-kick but Doyle once more sent an effort wide. Dundalk could have won it three minutes from time but they were denied by a row of bodies. Ward then tried to play in substitute Johnny Breen but it was blocked en-route, and they then survived late home pressure to take a share of the spoils.
SAINT PATRICK’S ATHLETIC FC: Gary Rogers, Derek Pender, Shane Guthrie, Evan McMillan ©, Ian Bermingham, Anto Murphy, Shane McFaul, Paul Crowley (Seán Stewart 80), Derek Doyle, Daryl Kavanagh, Ian Daly (David McMillan 63).
Goals: D Doyle (12, 60).
Booked: S McFaul (18).
Unused Subs: Chris Bennion (GK), Jake Carroll, Neil Harney, Mark Logan, Gareth Coughlan.
DUNDALK FC: Peter Cherrie; Stephen Maher, Simon Madden ©, Dean Bennett, Nathan Murphy; Daniel Kearns, Greg Bolger, Keith Ward, Ross Gaynor; Mark Quigley, Mark Griffin (Johnny Breen 83).
Goals: M Griffin (33), K Ward (50).
Booked: G Bolger (31).
Unused Subs: Paul Murphy (GK), Chris Kerr, Philip Duffy.
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin).
Attendance: 1,042.
