Report: St Pats 3 - 2 Cork City

Saint Patrick’s Athletic are 6 points clear at the top of the Premier Division tonight after a late Keith Fahey free kick earned them a 3-2 victory against 10-man Cork City. The Saints were fortunate to escape with maximum points after allowing a 2 goal lead to slip after Danny Murphy was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Pat’s were ahead on just 75 seconds when Gary O’Neill nodded in a Keith Fahey free kick from close range. The early setback rattled the rebels, who managed only their first attempt on goal after 23 minutes when Dave Mooney headed straight at Barry Ryan from a Danny Murphy cross.

But Cork weren’t the only team suffering setbacks, as Pat’s captain Damien Lynch hobbled off with a hamstring injury on 28 minutes to be replaced by 18-year-old Noel Haverty. Keith Fahey was handed the armband and proceeded to lead by example, dominating the game from here on in. The Saints had only themselves to blame for not increasing their lead before half time, after squandering numerous chances most notably a tame effort by O’ Neill after being released by Dessie Byrne on the left flank. George O’Callaghan gifted Mark Quigley the opportunity to double his side’s advantage after needlessly giving away the ball in midfield but the Pat’s striker shot straight at Michael Devine. That mistake aside, O’Callaghan looked the most threatening for Cork and all their attacking plays came through him. He was unlucky not to equalise just before the break when his 25-yard free kick was well saved by Barry Ryan.

Pat’s continued to run the game in the second half as Cork’s attack was successively found wanting with final balls going awry of absent strikers. Danny Murphy was booked for use of an elbow on Ryan Guy after 51 minutes as frustration began to creep into Cork’s play and their misery was exacerbated when, on 64 minutes, Gary Dempsey expertly released Keith Fahey with a delicate chip and the captain slotted home despite the best efforts of Neal Horgan to clear. Danny Murphy was sent off minutes later for a rather innocuous challenge on Noel Haverty who made the most of Murphy’s untimely misfortune. Game over one would have suspected. Evidently not.

John O’Flynn was introduced to the fray in place of Denis Behan on 69 minutes and scored with his first touch when Colin Healy crossed from the left and O’Flynn beat Byrne in the air to give the rebels some hope. Dan Murray nearly levelled for Cork moments later with a 30-yard chip that went inches over and Ryan Guy could have sealed it at the other end with a completely free header after good work from Alan Kirby. Astonishingly Cork pulled level on 87 minutes when a nothing ball by Cillian Lordon found O’Flynn who made the most of Barry Ryan’s indecisiveness to head home his and Cork’s second.

But Pat’s were not finished yet. And they regained their lead within one minute when Kirby was brought down just outside the box and Fahey dispatched the free after a slight deflection to send Richmond Park into a frenzy.

Saint Patrick’s Athletic: B. Ryan, S. Brennan, D. Byrne, D. Lynch (N. Haverty 28), S. Paisley, A. Kirby, K. Fahey, G. Dempsey, R. Guy, M. Quigley (B. Ryan 90), G. O’Neill
Subs: B. Clarke, M. Keane, A. Haran

Cork City: M. Devine, N. Horgan, D. Murray, G. O’Callaghan, C. Lordan, C. Healy, D. Behan (J. O’Flynn 69), P. Sullivan, L. Kearney, D. Murphy, D. Mooney
Subs: D. Ryan, C. O’Brien, M. McNulty, D. Murphy