Dundalk do enough

Dundalk scrambled a single goal FAI Ford Cup win over their Leinster Senior League opponents at Oriel Park last night.

Midfielder John Mountney scored the winner from a tight angle in the 49th minute.

The winners’ striking limitations were summed up when Michael Rafter blazed a penalty over the bar eight minutes from time.

It nearly proved costly when Gary O’Connor curled a free-kick just past the angle of the home post and bar six minutes from time.

The visitors had Simon Dunne dismissed in the final minute for a second yellow card after being booked for the Dundalk penalty.

Dundalk’s tale of woe in front of goal continued to the end, with Rafter having a shot cleared off the line in the dying seconds.

The home side should have sealed their passage to the next round after the first six minutes, but striker Mark Griffin, making his first start after a long injury lay-off, wasted two glorious chances.

DUNDALK: (4-4-2) Cherrie , McLaughlin, Foran, Burns (Waters 45) , Osborne, McDonnell (Murphy 88), Shields, Walsh, Mountney, Rafter, Griffin (O’ Neill 71).

ST PATRICK’S CY: (4-5-1) Philip O’Connor, Andrews , Nolan , Simon Dunne, Glen O’Connor Gary O’Connor, Young, Doolin (Thomas Dunne 66), O’Brien, Murphy (Riddick 66) , Roche .

Referee: T. Connolly (Dublin).