“Premier Division of the Airtricity League: Dundalk 1 (Kenny 2) vs St Patrick’s Athletic 2 (Grivosti 55, Melia 68)
On his triumphant comeback to Oriel Park, Stephen Kenny was delighted by two late goals from Tom Grivosti and Mason Melia, despite an early threat from his son Eoin.
This victory marked only the second win for St Patrick’s Athletic in an away game this season, their first being their triumphant match against Galway United during the season’s opening day. This recent triumph bolsters their chance of returning to the European leagues following their journey to the playoffs in the Europa Conference League. Conversely, Jon Daly’s Dundalk’s defeat has left them anchored at the base of the division.
While there was a chance that the game in hand could have allowed Dundalk to overtake nearby rival Drogheda United, the Louth County club may have imminent issues of greater importance, amid local news suggesting that owner Brian Ainscough is planning to withdraw his investment, a mere nine months post taking ownership of Oriel Park.
Dundalk’s current situation starkly contrasts with the successful past they shared with Kenny, the previous head in charge of the Republic of Ireland. His guidance led the team to secure four league titles, two FAI Cups and even a place in the group stages of the Europa League, before he left his position for an international role nearly six years back.
His return to face his old team almost started on a sour note when his son Eoin gave the host team the lead just 79 seconds into the game. Thanks to a long throw by Dan Pike that Hayden Cann got a piece of, allowing the young teenager to head the ball past Joseph Anang within point-blank range.
Nevertheless, in spite of this promising commencement, the visitors dominated the rest of the game with more opportunities to tie up the score. Felix Goddard, an on-loan keeper from Blackburn Rovers was on tenterhooks, the trio of Brandon Kavanagh, Aidan Keena and Jake Mulraney coming perilously close to scoring following his unanticipated blunders.”
Joe Redmond finally managed to breach St Pat’s defences a short 10 minutes after kick-off by heading down a free-kick. His partner in defence, Grivosti, then managed to skillfully direct the ball into the net, passing Goddard, who remained unmoved. Not long after, on the 68th-minute mark, the guests took the lead, with Mulraney’s right-wing cross being fumbled over the line by the young Melia, just 16 years old.
Soon thereafter, Dundalk had an excellent opportunity to even the score. A free-kick launched by Daryl Horgan fell perfectly to Andy Boyle at the rear post. Although his shot evaded Anang, Jamie Lennon swiftly defended it off the line. Goddard subsequently denied Brandon Kavanagh a goal from a close range. Despite a vehement plea for a penalty from the home team during overtime when Dara Keane seemed to be tackled inside the box, their appeal was dismissed.
The Dundalk team consisted of Goddard; Pike, Boyle, Cann, Mountney; Dervin (substituted by Keane, 87), Benson (replaced by Gullan, 69), Horgan, Hakiki (swapped with McGill, 69), O’Kane (substituted by Garbett, 75), and Kenny (replaced by Mahon, 75).
On the other hand, the St Patrick’s Athletic team comprised Anang; Sjoberg, Redmond, Grivosti, Breslin; Lennon, Forrester; Elbouzedi, Kavanagh (swapped with Bolger, 83), Mulraney (replaced by McClelland, 72) and Keena (changed for Melia, 62).
The game’s referee was Damien MacGraith from Mayo.