SEAN O'Connor's double strike against Dundalk at Oriel Park was enough to ensure Saint Patrick's Athletic a crucial three points in their bid to be crowned Airtricity League champions.

 

Lilywhites manager Ian Foster stated during the week that he expected to leave the club at the end of the season and there was certainly an air of uncertainty hanging over the Louth venue.

That seemed to spread to the Dundalk back four, and goalkeeper Peter Cherrie in particular, in the build up to O'Connor's opener after 15 minutes. Cherrie raced from his line to cut out a Derek Pender pass but his clearance was weak and O'Connor hit a first time effort to find the unguarded goal from 35-yards.

If that was a jab for Dundalk, an upper cut landed seconds later when Mark Quigley was shown two yellow cards in the space of seconds by referee Alan Kelly, leaving the home side a goal and a man down before the game had restarted.

Knowing that a win would put them right back into the title mix, St Pat's pushed for a second and Paul Crowley forced Cherrie into a good save before O'Connor blazed over from 12-yards after being set up by Danny North.

Crowley and Daryl Kavanagh were also wasteful in the 36th minute, the two getting in each others way to somehow hit the post after being sent clear on goal by Ian Daly's pass.

Dundalk put in plenty of effort but their best chance, a complete air shot by Keith Ward, summed up a miserable half from their point of view.

Pete Mahon's side grabbed their second in the 57th minute when O'Connor unleashed a vicious drive past Cherrie at his near post to leave the home fans stunned into silence.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, C Byrne, McHugh, N Murphy (McDonald 75); Breen, Bolger, Ward, Gaynor (McDonnell 67); Quigley, J Byrne (Duffy 88).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, Kenna, E McMillan, Shortall (Carroll 89); Kavanagh (Doyle 73), McFaul, Crowley, O'Connor (Murphy 83); Daly, North.

REFEREE: A Kelly (Cork).