St Pat’s stay in title hunt

ST Patrick’s Athletic kept up their hopes of Airtricity League glory as Sean O’Connor’s brace saw them comfortably overcome 10 man Dundalk at Oriel Park last night to remain within three points of league leaders Sligo Rovers.

O’Connor netted the opener on 14 minutes with a 35 yard effort.

Dundalk leading scorer Mark Quigley was dismissed soon for picking up two yellow cards and with a man extra, Pat’s bossed the game but it took them until the 57th minute to seal the win when O’Connor fired home from a tight angle.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, McHugh, C Byrne, N Murphy (McDonald, 75 mins); Breen, Ward, Bolger, Gaynor (McDonnell, 66 mins); Quigley, J Byrne (Duffy, 87 mins).

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, Kenna, McMillan, Shortall (Carroll, 91 mins); O’Connor (Murphy, 84 mins), McFaul, Crowley, Kavanagh (Doyle, 74 mins); Daly; North.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).