Sport

Still no luck for St Patrick's

National League Premier Division/Bohemians - 1 St Patricks Athletic - 1: And so the search continues for luckless St Patrick…

Paul O'Hehir at Dalymount Park
Tue Oct 04 2005 - 01:00

National League Premier Division/Bohemians - 1 St Patricks Athletic - 1: And so the search continues for luckless St Patrick's. Without a win since July, they came close to amending that unwanted record last night, but, having taken the lead, they were reduced to 10 men and restricted to a share of the night's prize.

Judging by the performance, though, it won't be long before they get the victory that eases their relegation fears.

Both sides played enterprising football during a bright opening spell. Bohemians were perhaps more adventurous in their application and winger John Paul Kelly typified their willingness to stretch the visitors. He sprayed superb cross-field balls which had the St Patrick's players scrambling, but, more often than not, the player on the receiving end spurned the chance.

St Patrick's too were keen to get forward, and strikers Ger Rowe and Glen Larsen looked to probe. The duo combined for their first chance, but when goalkeeper Matt Gregg parried Rowe's stinging shot, Larsen headed the rebound over.

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As the half progressed, play became disjointed, and the change in pace and direction disrupted Bohemians - though Fergal Harkin did go close with a 40-yard free - and St Patrick's played off the front foot until the break.

The breakthrough was made seven minutes into the second half. Larsen held up play inside the area, but when attempting to offload he was upended by James Keddy and Michael Foley blasted the penalty past Gregg.

But Bohemians levelled after 69 minutes when Tony Grant fired home from the spot after Sean O'Connor was sent off for a foul on Stephen Rice in the area.

In the end, St Patrick's were somewhat fortunate to escape with a point as Bohemians bombarded their goal until the end.

BOHEMIANS: Gregg; Rice, Oman, Collins, Byrne; Hunt; Kelly; Harkin, Keddy, Ward; Grant. Subs: O'Brien for Collins (60). Booked: Kelly (24), Byrne (39).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Prenderville, Maguire, Caffrey, Frost; Brennan, Perth, Foley, O'Connor; Larsen, Rowe. Subs: Doyle for Rowe (81), Dunne for Larsen (90). Booked: Perth (63), Rowe (71). Sent off: O'Connor (68).

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).