Second successive defeat for Dundalk FC as they lose to St Patrick’s Athletic

The season is in danger of petering out for Dundalk FC after they suffered a second successive 3-1 SSE Airtricity League defeat, this time at the hands of St Patrick’s Athletic.

Two goals from Thomas Lonergan in the second half put the Dubliners in control, before Daniel Kelly offered The Lilywhites some hope in the 75th minute, but it was St Pats who had the final say in the eighth minute of stoppage-time through Mason Melia’s penalty.

Stephen O’Donnell would have been looking for a response from his players after the previous week’s 4-0 FAI Cup humiliation at Galway United, and the Dundalk head coach was satisfied to witness his team dominate the opening half against a lethargic St Pats.

The Lilywhites had their first chance after three minutes, with Kelly curling a shot from outside the box just off target, while Daryl Horgan and Johannes Yli-Kokko both had attempts from the left and right respectively flash dangerously across the face of goal.

Dundalk began to create more clear-cut openings as the half neared its conclusion; Horgan’s angled effort from the right side had to be saved by the feet of Dean Lyness.

Yli-Kokko was looking impressive in the away side’s midfield, and his lovely dinked pass was excellently controlled by Horgan, who then dragged a shot inches wide of the post.

Patrick Hoban then capitalised on a Dundalk break before his right-field cross was hit first-time by Kelly, forcing a really good reaction stop from St Pats goalkeeper Lyness.

But characteristic of Dundalk’s season, they found themselves 1-0 behind four minutes into the second half as a result of a defensive lapse, despite dominating the first period.

An innocuous Lyness kick-out from one end of the field was completely missed by Hayden Muller at the other, allowing Lonergan to finish after showing good composure.

With the St Pats tails now well and truly up, Jake Mulraney then had a free-kick attempt sail inches wide of the post, with Dundalk goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd at full stretch.

St Pats doubled their lead on 57 minutes, courtesy of another Lyness kick-out that caught Dundalk cold, with the menacing Lonergan shrugging off the challenge of Greg Sloggett before lobbing the ball over and in past Shepperd, who had already committed himself.

The Lilywhites did manage to give themselves a lifeline 15 minutes from time, with Archie Davies sliding it through for Kelly, who finished past Lyness to halve the deficit.

Dundalk couldn’t force any more chances after that, with ex-St Pats man Robbie Benson given a second yellow card on 83 minutes as the away side were reduced to 10 players.

Instead, it was the hosts who were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage-time, with teenage sensation Melia sending Shepperd the wrong way from the spot to make it 3-1.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Dean Lyness; Axel Sjoberg (David Norman 23), Joe Redmond, Sam Curtis, Anto Breslin; Jamie Lennon, Adam Murphy; Jake Mulraney (Mason Melia 83), Chris Forrester (Kian Leavy 83), Jason McClelland (Mark Doyle 68); Thomas Lonergan (Conor Carty 68)

Subs not used: Danny Rogers (gk), Ben McCormack, Alex Nolan, Thijs Timmermans

Dundalk FC: Nathan Shepperd; Archie Davies, Greg Sloggett, Hayden Muller, Robbie Benson; Johannes Yli-Kokko (Connor Malley 66), Paul Doyle (Alfie Lewis 86); John Martin (Sam Durrant 66), Daryl Horgan (Ryan O’Kane 86), Daniel Kelly (Cameron Elliott 90+2); Patrick Hoban

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Darragh Leahy, Robbie McCourt, John Mountney

Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo)

Attendance: 3,921