- Gareth O'Reilly
- Fri, Oct 17 2014
Athlone Town shocked Pats in their own back yard on Friday night as Keith Long and his side won out by two goals to nil thanks to goals from Philip Gorman and Kealan Dillon. On a wet and windy night the champions were easily overcome in the second half by a better more motivated Athlone side.
It was hardly surprising, bearing in mind the torrential rain throughout the day, that this game started slowly with chances a rare sight. The opening chance of the game was eventually carved out by the home side after twenty minutes as Fagan broke into the box but saw his effort blocked by a combination of Athlone defenders, the follow up effort by Pats league debutant Jamie McGrath was then expertly tipped over the bar by keeper Ryan Coulter.
Just two minutes later and Athlone had a chance of their own to go in front when Sean Brennan’s beautifully whipped ball found a lurking Gorman at the back post but the home side managed to get back in numbers in order to clear the impending danger.
The first half trickled out with very little to report and so Liam Buckley and Keith Long were forced to retreat into their respective dressing rooms in order to attempt to rally their troops. The first half was made even worse for Athlone fans as the news filtered through that UCD had taken the lead over a weakened Derry City side.
Finally just after the hour mark the game got some life breathed into it as Philly Gorman twisted and turned 30 yards out from goal but when none of his team mates came to his aid all that was left to do was for the Athlone player to unleash a spectacular strike past Clarke into the top corner.
Just minutes later Kealon Dillon rushed clear of the Pats back line but was thwarted by Clarke when it looked certain the Athlone midfielder would double his side’s lead.
However he didn’t have to wait long to get his goal as just two minutes later a quick thinking Sean Brennan played a quick free kick through to Dillon who duly obliged by blasting beyond Clarke to send his set of fans into the raptures.
Once the midlanders got their second goal of the game it was all Keith Long’s men but changes by Liam Buckley did encourage his side to up their game momentarily. Unfortunately for the home support it was not enough to turn around their fortunes as they lost their last home game of the season to a resurgent Athlone Town side.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke, Ger O’Brien (Ken Oman 61), Derek Foran, Kenny Browne, Lorcan Fitzgrearld; Conan Byrne, Greg Bolger, James Chambers, Jamie McGrath (Peter Durrad 83), Killian Brennan (Rory Feely72); Christy Fagan
Subs Not Used: Ian Birmingham, Chris Forrester, Sean Hoare, Pat Jennings (gk).
Booked: Fagan (25), Foran (45).
Athlone Town: Ryan Coulter, Alan Byrne, Derek Prendergast, Kevin Knight, Dylan Hayes; Eric Foley, Derek Doyle (Ian Sweeny 90+3), Kealan Dillon, James O’Brien, Sean Brennan (Barry Clancy 85); Phillip Gorman (Graham Rusk 75)
Subs Not Used: Paul Skinner (gk), Aidan Collins, Thomas Mulroney, Stephen Dunne.
Booked: Knight (57), O’Brien (68)
Referee: Anthony Buttimer
Attendance: 1,084
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Kealan Dillon (Athlone Town)
