In what can only be described as a dramatic conclusion to a thrilling match at Richmond Park, St Patrick’s Athletic secured a narrow victory of 3-2 over Sligo Rovers, thereby bringing an end to the latter’s four consecutive league wins. The final goal, which was contested amidst controversy, was scored by the substitute Brandon Kavanagh via a decisive penalty in the dying moments of the game.
As the extra time was ticking away, Kavanagh spearheaded a free kick into Sligo’s penalty area, resulting in St. Pat’s player, Luke Turner, collapsing to the ground. This occurred despite there not seeming any contact from Ellis Chapman of Sligo. A penalty was granted by referee Rob Hennessy, a decision that sent shockwaves amongst Sligo’s players and bench. Sligo’s manager, John Russell, expressed a stark disagreement, resulting in him receiving a red card.
In the 100th minute of the game, the pivotal moment arrived. Kavanagh demonstrated his prowess, tricking the Sligo goalkeeper, Ed McGinty, and steering the ball on target from 12 yards out. This victory marked only the third league win in 10 for St. Pat’s manager, Stephen Kenny.
Four new players were announced for St. Pat’s following their noteworthy victory in Liechtenstein the previous Thursday against FC Vaduz in the Conference League’s third round. Particularly notable was the addition of Keena, making his club debut after leaving two years prior as top scorer of the league.
Sligo registered the first significant attempt on goal 13 minutes into the game when JR Wilson narrowly missed a free kick. A mere seven minutes afterwards, Connor Malley took advantage of Jamie Lennon’s stray pass intended for Romal Palmer, giving Sligo a lead with a stunning strike.
However, the advantage was short-lived as St. Pat managed to level the score within three minutes due to Sligo’s lackluster defense. A coordinated move from Al-Amin Kazeem and Keena provided Jake Mulraney an opportunity to sneak past a lethargic Nando Pijnaker, resulting in an equalising goal.
Hennessy, the referee, waved off Sligo’s protest that the foul occurred outside the penalty area and allowed Keena to successfully net the resulting penalty, sending goalkeeper McGinty in the wrong direction. Prior to transferring to Cheltenham Town two seasons prior, Keena’s last goal from the penalty spot in the League of Ireland had secured Sligo a win against St Pat’s, ironically at the Showgrounds.
Notwithstanding, Sligo regained their lead courtesy of a chaotic move from St Pat’s, only eight minutes after the second half commenced. A stray pass from Lennon landed at the feet of Morahan who capitalised on the opportunity. The captain then passed the ball onto Fitzgerald who was open down the left flank. Fitzgerald provided a perfect cross for Chapman to secure a header into the net.
With St Pat’s second equaliser on the 66th minute, the game’s scoreboard moved again as a consequence of another crucial mistake. Kavanagh’s ambitious long-range strike bounced right in front of McGinty, slipping past the Sligo shot-stopper.
Lennon, aiming to give St Pat’s the lead, hit a long-distance shot that crashed against the crossbar. Not long after, his team nearly gifted Sligo another goal following a blunder. Anang, the St Pat’s goalkeeper, made a miskick outside his penalty area, serving the ball straight to Pearce. Pearce, after receiving the accidental pass, hit a thumping shot that rebounded off the goalpost, adding to the high-drama end-to-end game.
Team Line-ups:
St Patrick’s Athletic: Anang; Sjoberg, Redmond, Turner, Kazeem (Subbed by Breslin, 60th minute); Forrester (Replaced by Melia, 67), Lennon; Leavy, Palmer (Substituted by B. Kavanagh, 60), Mulraney (Exchanged with Bolger, 77); Keena (Supplanted by Elbouzedi, 67).
Sligo Rovers: McGinty; Wilson, Denham, Pijnaker, Hutchinson; Morahan (Replaced by Henry-Francis, 86); Mallon (Relieved by Elding, 86), Chapman, Malley (Swapped with Barlow, 90+7), Fitzgerald; Waweru (Substituted by Pearce, 77).
Referee: Rob Hennessy. County of Origin: Clare.