Saints dig deep to snatch win at Dundalk
Liam Buckley’s side have zero room for error after a recent run of form that has seen them take just one win from their last five outings.
That has allowed league leaders Sligo Rovers to race 11 points clear of them.
However, with a game in hand and two matches against the Bit O Red still to come this season, the Inchicore men are refusing to give up on the possibility of landing a first Premier Division title in 13 years.
They had to show that fighting spirit last night as the home side made life difficult for them from the off. Despite relentless pressure, it took Pat’s until the 57th minute to make the breakthrough with Derek Foran, in particular, proving a rock at the back for Dundalk.
Despite dominating possession, Pat’s largely relied on long-range efforts from right back Ger O’Brien to trouble Peter Cherrie.
Indeed, it was they who came closest to conceding in the 35th minute when Gary Shanahan lifted the ball over Barry Murphy, only to see his effort land on the roof of the net.
The closest Pat’s almost came to taking a first-half lead came a minute before the break when O’Connor’s free was fumbled by Cherrie with Foran relieved to see the ball trickle wide after hitting him on the back.
The pressure finally told in the 57th minute, however, when O’Connor burst through the Lilywhites defence to rifle home what could prove a crucial goal in their pursuit of Sligo and European football for next season.
Pat’s did have to rely on a superb stop from Murphy to turn away Shanahan’s header in the 81st minute, however, to hang on for the victory.
DUNDALK: Cherrie; McDonnell, Foran, Whelan (Reilly, 90), Osbourne; Shanahan, O’Brien (Brady, 68), Mountney, Shannon; Griffin, McDonald (Rafter, 53).
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Clarke; O’Brien, Flynn, Kenna, Bermingham; Forrester (Kelly, 89), Chambers, O’Connor, Coombes (Bolger, 86), Carroll; Fagan (Faherty, 78).
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
