New boy Kelly off to flyer for Pat’s

Having scored the goal that clinched back-to-back league titles for Shamrock Rovers last season, Dean Kelly was unhappy to have to leave the club due to work commitments.

But the 26-year-old striker promptly endeared himself to the Inchicore faithful last night with the home side’s first goal of the campaign as they started with a win, in a game where both sides finished with 10 men.

Having come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in Inchicore early last season, Bray didn’t lack for confidence early on and Jason Byrne narrowly missed breaking the deadlock on 12 minutes when he headed wide from a corner.

Vibrant in their Setanta Sports Cup games, St Patrick’s responded to score from their first corner of the game three minutes later.

Kelly’s header from Sean O’Connor’s ball looked to have been hacked off the line by Dean Zambra, but assistant referee Emmet Dynan flagged that the ball had crossed the line.

O’Connor then poked a shot wide in the final minute as the home side finished the half strongly.

Kelly’s work-rate finally created a long-awaited opening to bring a dour second half to life on 76 minutes.

Having won the free from Graham Kelly’s clumsy challenge, Kelly was there at the back post, only to volley James Chambers’ cross over the bar.

Bray then had Webster sent off for a foul on Kelly four minutes later to earn a second booking.

That roused St Patrick’s but Stephen O’Flynn headed over the top from Dean Kelly’s cross before Darren Quigley in the Bray goal made late stops from Jake Kelly and O’Flynn.

Former Bray winger Jake Kelly was then shown a straight red card on 87 minutes following a clash with Dane Massey.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Clarke; O’Brien, Kenna, Browne, Bermingham; Russell, Chambers, Rossiter, Forrester (O‘Flynn 75), D Kelly (Meenan 85), O’Connor (J Kelly 79).

BRAY WANDERERS: Quigley; Webster, Massey, Sweeney, Houston (Kelty 87); Hanlon, Zambra, D O’Connor, Waters; Byrne (Bolger 84), Mulroy (G Kelly 64).

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).