St Patrick’s Athletic 2-3 Dundalk FC

Match Report

Jamie Gullan’s magnificent 97th-second free-kick set Dundalk on the way to their first away win in seven months as they held off a Saint Patrick’s Athletic fight-back to move off the bottom of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division table for the first time since March 4th.

Gullan sent an unstoppable strike to the top corner inside two minutes and, just 98 seconds after that, Dundalk were in dreamland when Ryan O’Kane’s well-hit shot had enough power in it to squirm under goalkeeper Danny Rogers and over the line.

It got better for Dundalk midway through the first half when Daryl Horgan set up Gullan for his second, which he finished clinically. At that stage, the Lilywhites looked on course to easily lift themselves off the foot of the standings, but it would prove anything but straightforward.

St Pat’s got themselves back into the game through Chris Forrester’s 27th-minute penalty and Jamie Lennon then blasted in a second before half-time, as Stephen Kenny’s side threatened to break Dundalk hearts on this June Bank Holiday Monday.

However, Jon Daly’s men remained composed and showed their defensive strength to keep the Saints out for an hour, and they could well have added a fourth in injury-time but substitute Eoin Kenny – son of Stephen – was denied by a good Rogers stop.

For Daly’s return to Richmond Park, the Dundalk manager made a single change to the team that drew 0-0 with Derry City at Oriel Park on Friday night, as O’Kane came in for Sam Durrant. Club captain John Mountney returned to the bench, replacing teenager Sam Case.

Dundalk were incredibly 2-0 up by 03:15 on the clock. The Lilywhites took the lead in stunning fashion on 97 seconds as Gullan lined up a free-kick over 30 yards from goal and delivered a stupendous strike to the top corner.

Daly’s men and a rowdy away section were in heaven 98 seconds later. After defending a free-kick, Horgan released Archie Davies who went on a marauding run from his own half before passing to O’Kane who cut inside and drilled a low shot that had enough power in it to squeeze under Rogers and limp over the line.

Dundalk made it 3-0 on 22 minutes. Horgan raided down the right and picked out a good pass for Gullan who, from just outside the ‘D’, fired a left-footed shot beyond Rogers.

St Pat’s were awarded a penalty on 26 minutes when Luke Turner’s effort from close range hit Horgan’s arm which was close to his body, with referee Rob Hennessy uninterested in the winger’s protests. Forrester stood up and buried the spot-kick, as Dundalk’s now near eight-month wait for an away clean-sheet continued.

On 34 minutes, the Saints threatened a second when Mason Melia skipped into the box but Andy Boyle stuck out a boot to turn it behind. From the corner, it was 3-2 as Forrester delivered to the back post where Joe Redmond’s header came off Cami Elliott into the path of Lennon who hammered the ball to the roof of the net.

Dundalk tried to respond with patient build-up which ended with O’Kane firing goalwards but Rogers got behind it well. In first-half injury-time, after keeping Pat’s at bay, Dundalk launched another attack with Horgan’s cross from the right finding Gullan in a central position in the box but his shot was blocked by Redmond.

At the start of the second half, Lennon fired over from the edge of the area after being teed up by Jake Mulraney. Then a free-kick put Dundalk under pressure but the threat ended with Forrester’s shot which Munro held.

Dundalk could have made it 4-2 on 57 minutes when a good passing move gave Davies space on the right and his deep delivery was onto the head of Gullan but his effort lacked the necessary power to trouble Rogers.

After that, Stephen Kenny made a double substitution as Brandon Kavanagh and Romal Palmer were introduced. Soon after, Durrant and Mountney were brought on for O’Kane and Paul Doyle, who appeared to have picked up an injury. Seconds later, Conor Keeley headed wide with Dundalk napping.

On 75 minutes, Daly gave a shout to Eoin Kenny, who entered just two days before his Leaving Certificate exams began. Six minutes later, St Pat’s went close when sub-Jason McClelland fired across the face of the goal from a tight angle but it went off target.

At the other end, Gullan broke in on the left of the box but a heavy touch allowed Rogers to get his body in the way, when Durrant was well placed for a pull-back. Gullan, after a wonderful shift, was then withdrawn as Daly brought in Mayowa Animasahun for the closing minutes.

Dundalk supporters – who at times chanted “There’s only one Stephen Kenny” and “Stephen Kenny, he’s one of our own” – had been made to suffer a stressful second half, but the players stood tall to secure three precious points.

Indeed, during what ended up being seven minutes of injury time, Eoin Kenny could have made it 4-2 when he did well to create an opportunity for himself but Rogers got across smartly to push the shot away.

Dundalk, recording their first win at Richmond Park since May 2021, now move into ninth, above neighbours Drogheda United who were beaten 2-1 in Sligo, having been rooted to the bottom of the table since being thumped 5-0 by the Bit O’Red three months ago.

It was Daly’s first victory as manager of the club as he made it third time lucky, and he will now aim to make it back-to-back wins – which Dundalk have not achieved since the end of last season – when they travel to leaders Shelbourne on Friday night.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Danny Rogers, Ryan McLaughlin (Romal Palmer 59), Conor Keeley, Joe Redmond, Luke Turner (Alex Nolan 70), Kian Leavy, Jamie Lennon, Cian Kavanagh (Brandon Kavanagh 59), Chris Forrester, Jake Mulraney (Jason McClelland 78), Mason Melia. Subs not used: Marcelo Pitaluga (GK), Tom Grivosti, Arran Pettifer, Aaron Bolger, Jason Oyenuga.

DUNDALK FC: Ross Munro, Archie Davies, Zak Johnson, Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw, Daryl Horgan, Hayden Muller, Paul Doyle (John Mountney 63), Ryan O’Kane (Sam Durrant 63), Jamie Gullan (Mayowa Animasahun 85), Cami Elliott (Eoin Kenny 75). Subs not used: Seán Molloy (GK), Jamie Walker, Vinnie Leonard, Luke Mulligan, Seán Keogh.

REFEREE: Rob Hennessy.