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paying the penalty

Kenny fumes over 'bizarre, exceptionally poor decisions' as Dundalk fall 9 points behind

The champions suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Bray Wanderers.

DUNDALK MANAGER STEPHEN Kenny has expressed his anger at referee Jim McKell following his side’s home defeat to Bray Wanderers last night.

The SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions suffered a 3-1 loss at Oriel Park, which means they already trail leaders Cork City by nine points with just nine games played.

Stephen Kenny Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny cut a frustrated figure on the touchline at Oriel Park last night. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

McKell awarded two second-half penalties to Bray, both of which were converted by Gary McCabe, who’s now the league’s top goalscorer after taking his tally for the season to nine.

Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell was penalised for a foul on Aaron Greene, but he made amends three minutes later by equalising for the home side.

Bray regained the lead when McCabe converted again from the spot after Chris Shields was deemed to have fouled Dylan Connolly, before Ryan Brennan wrapped up a win which brings the Seagulls level on points with the Lilywhites.

“I felt neither of them were penalties. I think the second one especially is bizarre really,” Stephen Kenny told RTÉ Sport after the game, as he came to terms with his side’s third league defeat of the season.

“I think they are some exceptionally poor decisions — bizarre really. I’m very, very disappointed. It’s hard to take really; very, very difficult to accept. I don’t ever remember in 15 years such dramatic incidents in relation to penalties being given.”

' Gary McCabe scores his second goal from the penalty spot Gary McCabe scores Bray's second penalty. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Kenny’s complaints come just days after he bemoaned the lack of penalties being awarded to his own side, who haven’t received a spot kick in the league in the last year.

He said: “You can deduct from that what you want. You would like to think at the start of every game that a referee would have no preconceived notion or wouldn’t be agenda driven. That’s what you would hope.”

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