Dundalk FC record victory over leaders St. Pats

Ten-man Dundalk FC recorded another significant victory in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division on Easter Monday, overcoming leaders St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 at Oriel Park.

The result keeps Dundalk in the top four and within three points of the summit, with first-half goals from Tyreke Wilson and Shane Tracey proving decisive. A late dismissal for Daryl Horgan did little to diminish the home side’s control.

READ NEXT: Survival remains the prize as Dundalk dare to look upward

St Patrick’s Athletic fashioned the opening opportunity after five minutes when James Brown’s low delivery evaded the Dundalk defence, but Max Mata’s effort was well saved by Enda Minogue.

Dundalk responded almost immediately. A swift exchange between Horgan and Gbemi Arubi created space for Wilson, who lifted a composed finish beyond Joseph Anang from the edge of the area.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, Dundalk pressed for a second, Horgan shooting narrowly wide following effective hold-up play from Arubi. The hosts doubled their advantage on 21 minutes.

Horgan’s cross was parried by Anang, but only into the path of Tracey, who finished calmly for his first League of Ireland goal, two days after his 20th birthday.

St Pats attempted to recover before the interval. Minogue tipped over Barry Baggley’s free-kick, and from the resulting corner denied Luke Turner. Baggley later headed wide, while Jason McClelland fired over from close range after working an opening.

Dundalk nearly extended their lead on the stroke of half-time, Anang saving with his feet from Horgan after he had been picked out by Eoin Kenny.

The home side controlled proceedings after the restart, restricting St Pats to few clear chances. Substitute Ryan Edmondson missed their best opportunity, dragging wide after being set up by Joe Redmond. Dundalk remained threatening, Arubi denied by Anang with 10 minutes remaining.

Horgan was then dismissed for a second yellow card on the resulting corner, but Dundalk saw out the closing stages comfortably. Despite late pressure, the hosts held firm to secure a deserved victory and move to within three points of the leaders.

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; Tyreke Wilson, Harvey Warren, Conor O’Keeffe (Mayowa Animasahun 56), Sean Spaight (JR Wilson HT); Aodh Dervin, Bobby Burns (Keith Buckley HT); Eoin Kenny (Declan McDaid 72), Shane Tracey (Harry Groome 56), Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Luke Mulligan, Aaron Keogh, TJ Molloy

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; Joe Redmond, Sean Hoare (Glory Nzingo 76), Luke Turner; James Brown, Darragh Nugent (Jamie Lennon HT), Barry Baggley, Jason McClelland; Kian Leavy (Chris Forrester 76); Aidan Keena (Romal Palmer 17) (Ryan Edmondson 44), Max Mata

Subs not used: Sean Molloy (gk), Anto Breslin, Tom Grivosti, Billy Canny

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd (Dublin)

Attendance: 3,294