Dempsey saves St Pat's blushes

Waterford United 1 St. Patrick’s Athletic 1

Gary Dempsey kept St. Patrick’s season alive with a second-half equaliser a the RSC.

Trailing to Willy John Kiely’s early goal, former Waterford midfielder Dempsey levelled on 70 minutes when shooting home following a goalmouth scramble from Bobby Ryan’s right wing cross.

Saints’ striker Glenn Fitzpatrick had a goal disallowed for offside inside the opening minute.

In a bright opening, Blues should then have taken the lead on 14 minutes, but Kiely skied over the bar when it appeared easier to score.

Kiely made up for his miss in some style within three minutes, however.

Stephen Grant did well in the box to get off a shot that was blocked by Saints’ midfielder Stuart Byrne.

But the ball ran kindly for Kiely on the edge of the box and his stunning right-foot shot found the roof of the net.

The sides meet again at Richmond Park on Tuesday night.