DAVE MULCAHY secured a 3-2 victory for St Patrick's Athletic in a gripping encounter with Dundalk at Richmond Park that saw the Saints bounce back from 2-0 down to win.

 

 

The Lilywhites took the lead on 17 minutes when Mark Quigley finished off a swift counter attack and the former Saint got his second shortly after the interval with a superb finish.

 

A stirring fightback saw the McMillan brothers, Evan and David, get the hosts back on level terms before Mulcahy hooked home the all-important winner in the second-last minute.

 

Following a 2-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers last week, St Pat's were eager to make a good start to this game and they did as they dominated the bulk of the play in the first half.

 

But a chance for Ross Gaynor on three minutes showed how dangerous the visitors can be. A clever ball from Daniel Kearns picked out his team-mate, who was denied by the out-rushing Gary Rogers.

 

Dundalk defender Colin Hawkins then produced two brave blocks to deny Shane McFaul and Stephen Bradley before Ian Foster's men took a surprise lead.

 

Kearns was again the creative spark as he cut in from the right wing and played a pass into Keith Ward who laid it back for Quigley to hammer in.

 

With David McMillan and Danny North missing good chances for the home team, it felt like it was going to be a frustrating night. And to make matters worse, Quigley struck again.

 

The former Bohemians striker somehow found enough space inside the opposition's penalty area to convert Simon Madden's cross with an outstanding bicycle kick and make it 2-0.

 

St Pat's tried to step things up and finally got on the scoreboard when Evan McMillan flicked in a header on 59 minutes before his brother fired in from close range.

 

Suddenly, the momentum was all going one way as Pete Mahon's team stormed forward and continually created chances with Derek Doyle twice going close with efforts.

 

But it was left to Mulcahy to cap his 100th appearance for the club with the winner as Dundalk failed to clear the danger in their box and the veteran midfielder pounced to scramble the ball in.

 

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, E McMillan, Mulcahy, Bermingham; Murphy, Bradley, McFaul (Crowley h-t), Doyle; North, D McMillan (Flood 90).

 

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, Hawkins, Hector, Murphy; Kearns, Bolger, Ward (Maher 63), Gaynor; Quigley, Byrne.

 

Referee: D Tomney (Dublin).