ST PATRICK ATHLETIC'S continue to struggle this season after another reversal at Inchicore last night. The visitors went ahead on 38 minutes when Stuart Byrne converted from close range. Paul Byrne was involved in two scoring chances for St Patrick's, the first coming on 20 minutes when, from a good position, he shot wide from 20 yards. He then played in Jamie Harris on the half hour but the tall striker headed wide with goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien stranded. Pat Dolan replaced Harris with Liam Kelly at half-time and the substitute was barely two minutes on the field when he found the net.
Longford regained the lead on 58 minutes through Byrne's 25-yard drive and went further ahead when Robbie Farrell got in behind the defence to slide the ball past Seamus Kelly on 71 minutes. St Patrick's countered a minute later through Ger McCarthy before Farrell grabbed his second on 82 minutes.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC; Kelly; Doyle, Foley, McGuinness; Burke; Byrne, Croly, Griffin, Russell; Harris, Gilzean. Subs: Kelly for Harris 45, Mc Carthy for Byrne 65, Drew for Russell 83
LONGFORD TOWN: Murphy, Smith, Mc Nally, W Byrne; Gavin, S Byrne, Perth, Notaro; O' Connor, Zellor. Subs: Farrell for Zellor 68, Coyle for Notaro 83
Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).
