Caffrey clinches it as Duff gets one up on old boss Kenny
ARMS around each other on halfway in the warm evening sunshine, two old football friends enjoyed their chat before breaking away to concentrate on their work.
Damien Duff had a match to oversee; Brian Kerr a commentary position to access above the Camac.
Part of Duff’s prep was to watch, hawk-like, as Pat’s went through their warm-up. Perhaps he spied something that made a scintilla of difference to his own plans.
As for his eagerly-awaited exchange with Saints manager Stephen Kenny, well, that was perfunctory and brief.
As the teams lined up for the kick-off, Duff made no effort to walk towards Kenny, who crossed the divide between technical areas for a handshake that took no more than a moment.
The days when Duff was a subservient coaching intern to Kenny are long gone. He’s on an equal footing now in the League of Ireland trenches.
Arguably, he’s on a higher footing as Shels moved 15 points clear of St Pat’s as a last-gasp winner from Evan Caffrey settled a gripping night in the Richmond Park corral.
If chances were scarce, this was pacey, passionate and absorbing, which was on course to end honours even after Seán Boyd’s fourth goal in four successive games was cancelled out by Jake Mulraney’s free-kick screamer.
But in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Pat’s nodded off.
They allowed Tyreke Wilson to steal into the box unchecked in the inside left channel. He picked out Caffrey, who had time to dig the ball out of his feet and place a left-footer into the far corner.
The Shels fans behind the goal erupted, as did Duff on the bench.
This was a huge win, if harsh on Pat’s who fought back with pluck and seemed more likely to throw the final punch, only to leave their own chin exposed.
As expected, Duff was far more animated on the line than Kenny, which reflects their personalities. But there is much more to Duff than jumping up and down, barking out orders.
He has overseen an upward graph at the Tolka tiller and this was another example of the Reds’ progress. They are top of the league for a reason.
While the Saints were on the front foot for much of the first half, they were wasteful with their crosses, and only worked Conor Kearns once with a Mulraney snap shot along the dance floor in the 12th minute
Mulraney didn’t so well soon after when he lost the ball on the left wing. Shels countered swiftly, working the ball across to Will Jarvis in space on the flank. His cross picked out the towering Boyd at the far post. A firm header gave Danny Rogers no chance.
The first goal is so often crucial in the League of Ireland, which Duff is acutely aware of. Bag a goal and keep it tight is a successful strategy, if based on pragmatism more than poetry.
When the Reds get in front, they adapt a Fort Knox mentality. They lost Jarvis with an injury but kept their gloves up after the break as Pat’s pressed.
Runners were blocked, bodies were placed on the line; their tackling were fierce. On the counter, Shels were threatening too.
In the 68th minute, Caffrey galloped clear down the right flank. He pinged over a perfect cross for the supporting Liam Burt, who smashed his effort into the side netting.
A second goal would have sunk the Saints but, while they were afloat, they had hope.
Kenny bravely sent on two strikers, one of whom Mason Melia, a strong, powerful runner was felled by Mark Coyle a few yards outside the box.
It was set up perfectly for a left-footer and Mulraney’s magic did the rest – Kearns was rooted to the spot as the net bulged. Pat’s kept pressing but the Reds rearguard kept its shape before their late, late counter left Kenny still seeking his first point as manager. ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Rogers; McLaughlin (Freeman 88), Redmond, Turner, Breslin (Keeley h/t); Kavanagh (Melia 63), Lennon, Forrester, Leavy (Nolan 63), Mulraney; Keating (C Kavanagh 88). Scorer: Mulraney 73. SHELBOURNE: Kearns; Gannon, Barrett, Molloy, Ledwidge; O’Sullivan (Caffrey 60), Coyle; Burt (Wilson 75), Smith (Williams 75), Jarvis (Lunney 32); Boyd. Scorers: Boyd 14, Caffrey 90+6. Referee: R Hennessy (Limerick). Attendance: 4,811.