Dundalk 6
St. Patrick’s Athletic 0
Caoimhin Reilly reports from Oriel Park.
DUNDALK CLAIMED THEIR 10th home league win of the season with a 6-0 hammering of St. Patrick’s Athletic at Oriel Park tonight – a result which keeps St. Pats firmly in the relegation mire.
Leading 2-0 at half time, courtesy of two injury time strikes from David McMillan, a result in Dundalk’s favour was never in question.
Though, St. Pats were dealt two major setbacks in the opening-half with an injury to ‘keeper Barry Murphy and the dismissal of captain Ian Bermingham. However, they were well under the cosh by the time Bermingham received his marching orders.
McMillan’s opening goal came from the spot – and in controversial circumstances – when referee Jim McKell ruled Lee Desmond to have tumbled the striker as he controlled Dylan Connolly’s through ball.
Incensed, the visitors flocked around the official who in turn dismissed Bermingham for his part in the remonstrations.
McMillan subsequently drove the opening goal down the middle, past Lukasz Skowron – who replaced Murphy in the 11th minute after a clash with Dundalk’s number nine, McMillan, left the custodian clutching his midriff.
And before the break, Dundalk made it 2-0 when the striker powered a header past Skowron for his 15th league goal of the season.
The second half got no better for Liam Buckley’s men, who were torn apart by the mesmerising play of Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney in sync.
Seán Gannon who added the third on 50 minutes for his second goal of the season prior to substitute Robbie Benson shooting home a fourth on the hour mark, after neat interchange from Duffy and McEleney.
Connolly scored Dundalk’s fifth, racing in behind to meet Gannon’s lofted ball and finishing confidently past Skowron, while Thomas Stewart completed the rout with the home side’s sixth with 10 minutes to play – the penultimate of Dundalk’s 15 shots on target.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Seán Gannon, Brian Gartland, Seán Hoare, Shane Grimes; Conor Clifford, Chris Shields (Robbie Benson 56); Dylan Connolly, Patrick McEleney, Michael Duffy (Steven Kinsella 74); David McMillan (Thomas Stewart 68)
St. Patrick’s Athletic: Barry Murphy (Lukasz Skowron 11); Michael Barker, Jordi Balk, Lee Desmond, Ian Bermingham; Paul O’Conor (Jonathan Lunney 61), Owen Garvan, Graham Kelly; Conan Byrne (Rory Feely HT), Christy Fagan, Billy Dennehy
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