Lilywhites dig deep to extend their lead
LATE goals from Ciaran Kilduff and Ronan Finn helped Dundalk see off St Patrick’s Athletic at Oriel Park last night as the champions maintained their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table.
After losing to nearest challengers Cork City before the mid-season break, it looked as though Stephen Kenny’s side were on course to drop points for a second successive game as they looked destined to be held to their first scoreless draw at home since being held by Longford Town last August.
However, a late double saw them keep their three in-a-row title bid on course, with Kilduff coming to live to inspire the win against his former club.
The 27-year-old wasn’t getting a game at Richmond Park this time last year but has since thrived in Co Louth.
While quiet for most of last night’s game, he came to life to turn in a Patrick McEleney cross in the 72nd minute for what was his first league goal since returning from a potentially career threatening back injury against the same opponents back in April.
He then turned provider for Finn’s second nine minutes from the end as the Lilywhites ground out a hard fought victory in the first competitive round of games in three weeks.
The game was a slow burner, with arguably the biggest cheer of the half coming in the opening minutes when referee Derek Tomney produced the vanishing spray for its debut at Oriel Park, much to the amusement of those in attendance.
The champions started on top but an attempted through ball from McEleney to Ciaran Kilduff that was over-hit was about as good as it got for them.
Having spent the best part of 21 minutes defending, Liam Buckley’s side threatened to take a surprise lead when Conan Byrne spot- ted goalkeeper Gary Rogers off his line, with his instinctive shot from just inside his own half having to be clawed over by the backtracking netminder.
Byrne had another chance two minutes later but blazed his shot just over after being teed up by Jamie McGrath.
Dundalk finally produced their first shot on goal in the 34th minute when a snap shot from wide on the left from McEleney had to be pushed clear by Brendan Clarke.
There were further efforts from Andy Boyle and John Mountney before the break, but neither really threatened to make a breakthrough in what was a dull first half.
The pressure began to mount on the visitors in the second half, however, with Daryl Horgan thrashing a shot high and wide after being slipped in by Finn in the 62nd minute.
Finn then had a chance of his own blocked at close range by Sean Hoare moments later as the visitors looked like frustrating the champions.
The crucial breakthrough arrived in the 72nd minute though when McEleney broke free on the left before squaring across the six yard box for Kilduff to squeeze a shot home.
Dundalk then made sure of the three points nine minutes from the end when Finn tapped home from close range, after Kilduff’s header from a John Mountney cross struck the left hand upright before rolling across the face of goal.