Report: Dundalk FC 0-4 St Patrick's Ath

It was a difficult night for Dundalk at Oriel Park as St Patrick’s Athletic claimed a convincing 4-0 victory to move to the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

The Lilywhites made a bright start but struggled to turn early possession into clear chances, with Aodh Dervin’s long-range effort their only opening of note. The visitors took control midway through the first half and Aidan Keena struck twice before the break, finishing a swift move on 21 minutes before reacting quickest to a rebound from a corner eight minutes before half-time.

Dundalk showed greater attacking intent either side of the interval, with Cian Dillon and Egor Vassein both going close, while Enda Minogue produced a number of important saves to keep the score down. However, despite the hosts battling for a route back into the contest, St Pat’s remained in command.

The game was effectively settled in the 75th minute when Ryan Sheridan fired home his first goal for the club, before Ryan Edmondson added a fourth with a free header seven minutes later. The visitors could have extended their lead further, but the woodwork denied them late on.

It was a disappointing result for Dundalk, who never stopped competing but were punished by a clinical St Pat’s side on a night when too many errors proved costly.

Dundalk: Minogue; Mulligan (Wilson HT), Grivosti, Vassein, Burns; Dervin (Warren 69), Teahan; Clarke (McDaid 76), Groome (Tracey HT), Horgan; Dillon (Gaxha 55).

St Patrick’s Athletic: Anang; Redmond, Hoare, Turner; Elbouzedi (Brown 58), Lennon, Baggley (Nugent 58), Breslin; Sheridan (Forrester 79), Keena (Edmondson 69); Olusanya (Palmer 79).

Referee: Marc Lynch.