- Seán O'Connor
- Sat, Jun 19 2021
Seán O’Connor reports from Richmond Park
The Saints moved up to second on Friday evening following an impressive 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers, condemning the Bit O’ Red to their first away defeat of the season.
The hosts took the lead inside the opening ten minutes through Matty Smith and never looked back in truth, with Rónán Coughlan scoring the second for the Saints.
Rovers struggled to contain their intense high press, and the Athletic could have been 3-0 up at half time if it were not for a goal-line clearance and a fantastic point blank save from Ed McGinty.
Rovers began the second period much better, but Pat’s soon took back control of the game, limiting the Bit O’Red to almost no goal opportunities all evening.
Ronan Coughlan’s 72nd minute penalty, against his old club, put the game beyond Rovers’ reach, and Stephen O’Donnell’s side picked up their ninth win of the season.
St. Pat’s named an unchanged side following last weekend’s win over Longford Town. The Saints took the pitch at Richmond Park amid a rapturous applause from the home supporters, following a 470-day absence.
Liam Buckley also received a warm reception, returning to the club where he won two league titles and an FAI Cup during his two stints in charge.
The Saints began the game much brighter than the visitors. Robbie Benson floated an early free kick into the Rovers box, but it proved no trouble for Ed McGinty.
The lucky 200 inside Richmond Park may have had to wait 16 months for a match, but they only had to wait six minutes for the games opening goal.
Superb build up play from the hosts put the Rovers back line under severe pressure. Coughlan crossed the ball across the face of goal before Mattie Smith coolly slotted it into the corner of the net. What a sight to see the fans’ celebrations after such a long absence from Richmond Park.
The early strike seemed to give the visitors the kick they needed, as they began to get hold of the ball and grow into the game. Paddy Barrett picked up a booking on 15 minutes as Walter Figueira and Romeo Parkes started to throw their weight around.
Smith almost scored his second of the evening on 20 minutes but saw his shot cleared off the line.
As the half-hour mark approached, Rovers were really struggling to contain the hosts’ threats. Poor decision making and lack of discipline were beginning to creep in, and Liam Buckley’s side were clearly frustrated by the limited opportunities in the first half.
The Saints went agonisingly close to a second again when Billy King’s effort was superbly saved by McGinty at point-blank range. The Bit O’ Red were really struggling with their opponents relentless high press, and McGinty was forced to ‘hoof’ the ball away on a number of occasions.
Five minutes from the break Paddy Barrett went down on the edge of box. Referee Paul McLaughlin awarded a free kick despite protests from the bench. Coughlan stepped up and saw his effort deflect off the wall and over.
There was an extended stoppage at the end of the first half, with Robbie McCourt going off to receive medical treatment following a challenge. Smith went close again before McLaughlin blew for half-time.
Rovers began the second half much better than the first. Mark Byrne’s effort went just wide of the post, and Jordan Gibson was starting to cause trouble down his right flank.
Parkes also started to hassle Lee Desmond in and around the area. He went down in the box and appealed for a penalty, although the shot was on. Gibson tried his luck from a free kick.
The Saints were inches away from a second as the ball was squared across McGinty’s goal. John Mahon did brilliantly to intercept and clear to safety.
David Cawley replaced Figueira just after the hour mark, and Rovers enjoyed a rare, brief spell of possession.
However, on 72 minutes Smith broke down the left wing, cut inside but was taken down inside the area by Mahon. The referee pointed to the spot and Coughlan made no mistake, scoring his fifth goal of the season in front of the ecstatic home crowd.
From here the visitors rarely looked like getting back into the contest. The Saints’ relentless work rate and composure on the ball was simply too much for Rovers to handle.
The Athletic move into second place on goal difference and are now unbeaten in their last six meetings against the Bit O’ Red. Sligo Rovers drop one place to third after their first away defeat of 2021. St Pat’s host Finn Harps on Monday evening while Sligo Rovers travel north to face Derry City.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Vitezslav Jaros; Lee Desmond, Ian Bermingham (C), Paddy Barrett; Chris Forrester (Jamie Lennon 67), Robbie Benson, Billy King (Darragh Burns 61), Alfie Lewis, John Mountney; Rónán Coughlan, Mattie Smith (Jason McClellend 86).
Subs not used: Barry Murphy, Josh Keeley; Sam Bone, Ben McCormack, Danny Norris, Tommy Lonergan.
Booked: Paddy Barrett (15)
Sligo Rovers: Edward McGinty; Lewis Banks, Colm Horgan, John Mahon, Robbie McCourt (Regan Donelon, 42); Jordan Gibson, Mark Byrne (Shane Blaney 82), Greg Bolger (C), Niall Morahan (Johnny Kenny 82); Walter Figueira (David Cawley 65), Romeo Parkes,
Subs not used: Richard Brush; Danny Kane, Ryan De Vries, Cillian Heeney, Peter Maguire.
Booked: John Mahon (72)
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 200
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Mattie Smith (St Patrick’s Athletic)
