- Pearse O'Caoimh
- Tue, Mar 11 2008
Glentoran FC will have to make do with a single point as two stoppage time goals earned Saint Patrick’s Athletic a 3-3 draw in the first game of group two in the Setanta Sports Cup. Just like last Friday, Pat’s conceded first when Michael Halliday ghosted in behind the defence after a catastrophic mix up between Joe O Cearuill and Barry Ryan, to slot home in to an open net after only 3 minutes.
Gardai were keeping a close eye on the Glentoran fans as fire crackers were lit and a number of supporters were kicked out of the ground.
On 22 minutes, a defensive mix up in the Glens box this time allowed Gary O’Neill to bundle the ball home after Bobby Ryan miss hit a shot into his path.
There were surely only 22 men in shorts and t-shirt in the whole of Dublin as the second half kicked off. Heavy rain dominated the sky and dampened the playing surface as a fiercely cold wind had the players clenching their fists. This made it difficult for the teams to create any sort of decent flow early in the 2nd half.
Mark Quigley was easily dealt with by a confident Glentoran defence and was replaced midway through the second half by Michael Keane. It was clear at times that Pat’s were playing only their 2nd competitive game of the season as passes and shots went a wry. Despite a few prosaic forays into the Pat’s box, the Belfast men seemed content to sit back and take the point until out of nowhere, David Partridge engaged in a spot of ball watching only to be dispossessed by Hamilton, who he maliciously dragged to the floor. The referee pointed straight to the spot and Nixon dispatched the penalty on 70 minutes.
A third defensive error for Pat’s allowed Fardyce to slot home into an empty net on 87 minutes after Barry Ryan launched a weak clearance onto is toe. A large proportion of Pat’s fans left the stadium after the goal and will rue the day when they check aertel tonight or read the papers tomorrow because Pat’s weren’t about to lie down as the impressive substitute Dessie Byrne crossed for O’Neill who headed home to complete a brace and make for a frantic finale.
The Pat’s crowd were baying for blood now as the players sought a dramatic equaliser and with virtually the final touch of the game, Keith Fahy veered his shot in from a tight angle after a corner to make it 3-3 on the night. Johnny McDonnell will be disappointed with the amount of defensive errors by his side but relieved as his side managed, somehow, to get out of jail with the two late strikes.
St Patrick's Ath: Barry Ryan; Stephen Brennan, David Partridge, Jamie Harris, Joe O'Cearuill; Bobby Ryan (Alan Kirby 88), Keith Fahey, Gary Dempsey (Dessie Byrne 80), Ryan Guy; Mark Quigley (Michael Keane 68), Gary O'Neill.
Subs not used: Brandan Clarke, John Frost, Stephen Paisley, Noel Haverty.
Glentoran: Elliott Morris; Colin Nixon, Kyle Neill, Jason Hill, Paul Leeman; Shane McCabe, Sean Ward, Michael Halliday, Gary Hamilton; Darren Boyce (Jaime McGovern 88), Daryl Fordyce (Dean Fitzgerald 88).
Subs not used: Michael Dougherty, David Scullion, Ryan Berry, Philip Carson, Philip Simpson.
Referee: Mark Courtney.
