Dundalk Triumphs Over St Patrick's Athletic in Richmond Park Thriller

In a dramatic SSE Airtricity Premier Division match at Richmond Park, Dundalk defeated St Patrick's Athletic 3-2, marking their first away win of the season. The match was notable not only for its thrilling gameplay but also for the appearance of Eoin Kenny, son of St Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen Kenny, who played against his father's team.

Dundalk took an early lead with a stunning free kick by Jamie Gullan in the 2nd minute, followed by Ryan O'Kane's strike in the 4th minute. Gullan scored his second goal in the 22nd minute, putting Dundalk up 3-0. St Patrick's Athletic pulled one back with a penalty kick by Chris Forrester in the 27th minute, and Jamie Lennon scored in the 35th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

Despite a strong second-half performance by St Patrick's Athletic, Dundalk held on for the win. The match saw a dramatic first half with five goals, including three for Dundalk in the opening 22 minutes. Eoin Kenny, 18, made his eighth appearance of the season for Dundalk against his father's team, forcing a good save from Ross Munro minutes after coming on.

The attendance at Richmond Park was 3,934, and the match was officiated by Rob Hennessy. Dundalk's victory lifts them off the bottom of the table and into ninth place, moving to within seven points of eighth-placed St Patrick's Athletic with two games in hand. This was St Patrick's Athletic's first defeat to Dundalk since March 2023.

Dundalk manager Jon Daly celebrated the win with his fists raised and shook hands with his successor, Stephen Kenny. The Dundalk fans chanted 'One Stephen Kenny' in the away section, acknowledging their former manager who now leads St Patrick's Athletic.

This win is a significant boost for Dundalk's hopes of avoiding relegation. Jamie Gullan's performance, scoring twice and coming close to a hat-trick, was instrumental in their victory. St Patrick's Athletic, despite their efforts in the second half, were unable to find an equalizer.

Dundalk's victory at Richmond Park marks a turning point in their season, lifting them off the bottom of the table and providing much-needed momentum. The match will be remembered for its dramatic first half, the family twist involving Stephen and Eoin Kenny, and the emotional return of Jon Daly to his former club.

Key Takeaways

• Dundalk defeats St Patrick's Athletic 3-2 in a thrilling SSE Airtricity Premier Division match.
• Jamie Gullan scores twice, including a stunning free kick, to lead Dundalk to victory.
• Eoin Kenny, son of St Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen Kenny, plays against his father's team.
• Dundalk's win lifts them off the bottom of the table and into ninth place.
• This is St Patrick's Athletic's first defeat to Dundalk since March 2023.