Lonergan double helps Saints see off Dundalk in tense affair

St. Patrick’s Athletic 3 Dundalk 1 

St. Pats overcame a much-improved Dundalk side in a tense clash between two sides in the battle for European football next season.

The two fierce rivals endured contrasting emotions in their FAI Cup quarter finals, with The Athletic eventually overcoming Finn Harps but Stephen O'Donnell’s side suffering a shock hammering away at First Division champions, Galway United.

In their first home game since the middle of August, The Athletic, put on a second-half show for the 3,912 in attendance that will have them potentially eying a late-season title push thanks to a double from Tommy Lonergan and a late Mason Melia penalty.

Looking for a huge response to last week's poor performance, the visitors started bright with Daniel Kelly on the left for the visitors looking lively, and seemingly having the beating of Carl Axel Sjoberg, the pacey wideman flashed a shot across goal after two minutes.

But going the other way, Sjoberg looked a threat of his own, marauding forward before slipping in Chris Forrester who finished well under the onrushing Nathan Shepperd, only to see the flag go up for offside, much to the home fans displeasure.

But the visitors continued to apply all the pressure forcing set pieces and often having all 10 outfield players in the opposition half, suffocating the Saints build up play as frustration grew around Inchicore.

As the half drew to a close The Lilywhites went close twice in quick succession. Firstly, Daryl Horgan collected Johannes Yli-Kokko’s clipped ball on his chest before dragging his shot wide before Pat Hoban cut back to the edge of the area for Kelly, who’s goal bound strike was well saved by Dean Lyness.

The home side got the dream start to the second half