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Kurtis Byrne celebrates as Dundalk beat Pat's in Oriel Park. ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
League of Ireland

Airtricity League: Dundalk end Pat's unbeaten run as Derry close the gap

Derry City move to within three points of the summit as John Sullivan’s goal condemns Pat’s to their first defeat since April.

LEAGUE LEADERS ST Patrick’s Athletic came unstuck as John Sullivan’s strike gave Dundalk a 2-1 win in Oriel Park.

The defeat was the Saints’ first in the Premier Division since the beginning of April and allowed second-placed Derry City to close the gap with a hard-fought 3-2 win in Bray.

Elsewhere Shelbourne celebrated only their second win of the season as they beat neighbours Bohemians 3-0 in tonight’s Dublin derby.

Shamrock Rovers beat Limerick 1-0 in Tallaght while Cork City moved ahead of Drogheda United with a 1-0 win in Turner’s Cross.

Tonight’s results cut Pat’s lead at the top to three points as the league enters its mid-season break. Liam Buckley’s side were reduced to 10 men when Killian Brennan was sent off for a dangerous tackle shortly after the half-hour mark, but they took the lead on 59 minutes through Christy Fagan.

Kurtis Byrne levelled matters with 20 minutes to play and then had a chance to put the Lilywhites in front from the penalty spot but fluffed his lines.

A clever free-kick by Richie Towell allowed John Sullivan to grab the winner seven minutes from time, moving Dundalk into third spot for now with Sligo Rovers not playing UCD until tomorrow night.

Derry City took full advantage of the slip but they were made to work for their points by Bray. Pat McEleney gave Derry an early lead on 14 minutes but the Candystripes were pegged back by Ismahil Akinade ten minutes before the break.

Derry celebrate McEleney’s goal (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

But as has so often been the case this season, Rory Patterson proved to be the difference for Derry and the league’s top scorer edged them back in front with a goal in first-half stoppage time.

Patterson added another early in the second half but Bray refused to give up without a fight and Dean Zambra’s goal in the 57th minute ensured that nobody was leaving the Carlisle Grounds early.

In Dalymount Park, goals by Dean Kelly in either half helped Shels to their first win of Johnny McDonnell’s reign as manager. There were just seven minutes on the clock when Sean Brennan opened the scoring for the visitors and Shels’ task was made slightly easier when Bohs defender Derek Pender was shown a straight red by referee Tomas Connolly in the 32nd minute.

Two minutes later Kelly stole in to make it 2-0 and he then wrapped up the win in the 53rd minute with a neat finish past Dean Delany in the Bohs goal.

Karl Sheppard scored the only goal of the evening in Tallaght as Shamrock Rovers made it three league wins in a row. Sheppard turned home James Chambers’ corner on the half-hour mark to give Rovers the points against Limerick, with Jeffrey Judge sent off for the visitors late on.

Cork boss Tommy Dunne encourages his side against Drogheda (©INPHO/James Crombie)

In Turner’s Cross, Daryl Horgan’s second-half strike settled matters and gave beleaguered Cork City their first win in four in the league. The result moves City up into sixth, leapfrogging both Limerick and Drogheda in mid-table.

Meanwhile in the First Division, the Midlands clásico went to Roddy Collins and Athlone Town who had a 2-0 win at home to league leaders Longford. Salthill Devon beat Finn Harps 2-1 while Wexford Youths were 2-0 winners against Mervue.

Airtricity League results

Premier Division:

  • Bohemians 0-3 Shelbourne
  • Bray Wanderers 2-3 Derry City
  • Cork City 1-0 Drogheda United
  • Dundalk 2-1 St. Patrick’s Athletic
  • Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Limerick

First Division:

  • Athlone Town 2-0 Longford Town
  • Salthill Devon 2-1 Finn Harps
  • Wexford Youths 2-0 Mervue United

15 years and 202 LOI goals later, Byrne closes in on all-time record

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