- Christine Allen
- Tue, Jun 04 2024
Christine Allen reports from Richmond Park
Chants of “Stephen Kenny, he’s one of our own” rang in the ears of the St. Patrick’s Athletic fans as they meandered towards the Richmond Park exits following their 3-2 defeat to Dundalk.
The Richmond revellers found themselves punch drunk within the first five minutes of the tip-off, with the Lilywhites netting two goals in quick succession.
Jamie Gullan took full advantage of a soft free-kick, whipping the ball into the top left hand corner of Daniel Rogers net in the 2nd, before Ryan O’Kane scored on the counter in the 4th for the visitors, the ball creeping under the Pats goalminders misjudged smother.
It was a case of ‘Roger that’ for the away fans who swung their scarves in exaltation as they paid tribute to their former gaffer, Stephen Kenny.
An exasperated sea of red and white shirts observed the contest with a critical eye as their team struggled to find a footing in the game.
“Get on the end of it!” A Saints fan remonstrated from the Main Stand as the ball was squared across goal by Kian Levy to an empty turf.
The pace became frenetic, the tempo unrelenting, as St Pats recovered (albeit concussed) and began to switch the ball with pace.
“Let them chase shadows, c'mon! “ Another Richmond regular instructed as Cian Kavanagh and Jake Mulraney sought to penetrate the Lilywhites backline - Archie Davies and Daryl Horgan stifling their attempts.
Dundalk continued to look dangerous in attack, with Davies, Horgan, and Zak Bradshaw carrying the ball high and up the pitch, much to Daly’s delight.
“You didn't open your mouth, Daly, when you were here!” A home fan reprimanded as the former Saints manager issued sporadic directives to his eleven.
The visitors netted what felt like a knockout punch in the 22nd, with Jamie Gullan taking a superb first touch and driving the ball into the bottom right hand corner to make it 3-0 to the Railwaymen.
Richmond Park was set to boil over as tempers flared, the home fans' sights set firmly on the red and white shirts who to their credit, responded.
St Pats were given a glimmer of hope in the 27th when Rob Hennessy penalised Horgan for a handball and signalled to the penalty spot.
Forrester would step up to pull the trigger, methodically placing the ball into the bottom left hand corner and past Ross Munro to secure one back for the home side.
The crowd were Kenny’s 12th man as they hunted for a second.
The Saints supporters were rewarded for their belief in the 35th when Jamie Lennon blasted the ball under the hood of Monro’s crossbar.
“Jamie Lennon, he's one of our own!" The home fans cheered as the needle began to prick between the two teams.
As a half-time reprieve beckoned, Dundalk looked the livelier, O’Kane firing a shot straight at Rogers, while Gullan came close to securing a hatrick— a Joe Redmond deflection denying the ex Hibernian hitman.
St Pat’s came out all guns blazing after the restart, with Lennon popping the first shot off on goal before Forrester sought to take advantage of a scramble in Dundalk’s box— yet both efforts failed to trouble the Great Scot.
“Control the game!” A Saints fan demanded of the referee, whose whistle blew in sharp bursts throughout the remainder of what was a highly physical contest - the home fans apoplectic as the visitors took an opportunistic water break.
The subs rolled as the twenty-two battled, Kenny and Daly each making four substitutions.
St Patricks Athletic threw the kitchen sink at Dundalk in the final twenty, doing well to keep possession and zip the ball around the turf but the visitors battened down the hatches and weathered the assault.
Metres from his father and with 15 minutes of normal time left to play, the young Eoin Kenny received last minute instructions before making his entrance in the 75th - the resemblance between Kenny and son as they stood on the sidelines, striking.
As the Saints laid siege to the visitors backline, Johnson made a beeline for Daly, signalling four fingers to his foreman.
Their heads knocking, the number 13 nodded in understanding before sprinting back onto the turf and closely shadowing Melia.
In the final ten, a ball from Forrester flashed agonisingly across goal, begging for a boot to take a touch, while at the other end, Dundalk hunted for the finisher.
Deep into the six minutes of stoppage time awarded, the young Kenny almost broke his father's heart just in time for Father's Day as he danced past two Pats defenders, his curl parried by Rogers.
The game would end 3-2 for Dundalk.
St Pats, to their credit, rallied before the final count.
St. Patrick's Athletic: Daniel Rogers; Conor Keeley, Ryan McLaughlin (Romal Palmer 58), Joseph Redmond, Luke Turner (Alex Nolan 70); Kian Leavy, Jamie Lennon, Mason Melia, Jake Mulraney (Jason McClelland 78); Christopher Forrester, Cian Kavanagh (Brandon Kavanagh 59).
Subs not used: Marcelo Pitaluga, Tom Grivosti, Aaron Bolger, Arran Pettifer, Jason Folarin Oyenuga.
Booked: Joseph Redmond (16), Mason Melia (58), Ruairi Morgan (93).
Dundalk: Ross Munro; Andrew Boyle, Archie Davies, Zak Johnson, Hayden Muller; Zak Bradshaw, Paul Doyle (John Mountney 63), Daryl Horgan, Ryan O'Kane (Samuel Durrant 63); Cameron Elliott (Eoin Kenny 75), Jamie Gullan (Mayowa Animasahun 84).
Subs not used: Sean Molloy, Luke Mulligan, Jamie Walker, Vincent Leonard, Sean Keogh.
Booked: Paul Doyle (18), Archie Davies (51), Zak Johnson (62), Vincent Leonard (90), John Mountney (90), Daryl Horgan (90).
Referee: Rob Hennessy.
