Five star St Peter's defeat Dundalk

St Peter’s 5 Dundalk 2

By John Dingle

St Peter’s claimed a famous victory in the Leinster Senior Cup by defeating Premier Division outfit Dundalk 5-2 in this Group A opening round game at McCarthy Park yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

The home side held a two goal lead at half-time and although the Louth outfit pulled a goal back early in the second half, the two goal advantage was soon restored.

Dundalk again reduced the deficit on the hour mark but their chances of then restoring parity were hampered when they had goalkeeper Enda Minogue sent off while also conceding a penalty kick. Dylan Gavin made no mistake from the spot and a further goal later in the half sealed a historic victory for the Athlone side.

While Dundalk were mainly represented by their under-20 players, they would have been anxious to try and impress watching first team manager Ciaran Kilduff.

St Peter’s took the lead on the half hour mark. Johnny Kiernan turned on the edge of the penalty kick and expertly placed a low shot past the keeper’s right.

The home side doubled their lead just before the break from the penalty spot. Gavin was fouled by Sean Spaight with the home supporters shouting for a red card for the offence. A spot kick was the only punishment though as Gavin sent Minogue the wrong way with the penalty kick. It handed the hosts a 2-0 lead to carry into the break.

The expected response from Dundalk soon materialised and the deficit was reduced after 54 minutes. A corner kick from Trevor Molloy Murray was not dealt with and the ball was fumbled over the goal line.

The excitement continued up to the hour mark with two more goals being scored. Niall Scullion was the unlikely scorer of the Hoops’ third goal when he forced the ball home following a corner kick.

But Dundalk gave the Athlone team little time to settle on the lead as the goal of the game again had them just behind on the scoreboard. Team captain Luke Mulligan took aim from long range and his superb strike flew into the roof of the net.

The game was to turn the hosts’ way after 65 minutes when Minogue was sent off after fouling Gavin. With no ready-made replacement among the substitutes, the former Athlone Town keeper was replaced between the posts by midfielder Mulligan whose first task was to face the penalty kick. The stand in keeper was also sent the wrong way by Gavin and now the home side looked more comfortable.

With the extra man, the hosts eased down to the closing stages and completed the scoring with a fifth goal after 81 minutes. Again, there was an unlikely scorer as Dylan Sumner followed fellow defender Scullion onto the scoresheet when reacting quickly to force the ball home from close range after Gavin’s free had initially been blocked.

Dundalk tried to put some respectability on the score in the closing stages but Darcy Lawless kept them at bay with two fine saves, as St Peter’s celebrated what is surely one of the most noteworthy victories in the club’s history.

St Peter’s: Darcy Lawless, John McCrossan, Adam Dowling, Nenad Lazic, Dylan Sumner, Niall Scullion, Cameron Keighery, Dylan Gavin, Luke Kelly, Johnny Kiernan, Gary Kelly. Subs: Cormac Hannon for Dowling (h-t); Josh McCarthy for G Kelly (61 mins); Tadhg Heavin and Kevin Daly for Keighery and L Kelly (80); Samuel Oliveira for Kiernan (81).

Dundalk: Enda Minogue, Rhys O’Hare, Liam O’Leary, Conall Alfred, Shay Casey, Max Ferguson, Luke Mulligan, Norman Garbett, Sean Spaight, TJ Molloy Murray, Tom McLoughlin. Subs: Patrick Ibikunle and Oisin Smyth for Ferguson and Molloy Murray (70 mins); Jordan Vocella for Alfred (80).

Referee: Declan Toland (Athlone).