Kelly earns draw for Dundalk in pulsating Saints clash

Daniel Kelly earned Dundalk a point, but should have delivered all three, as the sides shared the spoils in a rip-roaring tussle at Richmond Park.

Eoin Doyle gave St Patrick’s a first-half lead with winger Kelly levelling late on before then missing a golden chance to win it.

It remained a breathless encounter to the end with Dundalk head coach Stephen O’Donnell sent from the dugout for dissent in stoppage time as his side now sit nine points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers.

In one change from their win over Drogheda United last time out, St Pat's gave a debut to new signing Harry Brockbank at right-back.

Dundalk made no fewer than four changes from the side that lost the Louth derby at Drogheda last week.

Peter Cherrie made his first appearance of the season in goal for the injured Nathan Shepperd while Sam Bone, Keith Ward and skipper Patrick Hoban also came in.

Showing more composure initially, Dundalk raided promisingly early on, Kelly flashing over a dangerous cross that had just too much pace on it for Hoban to reach.

A corner, whipped to the back post by Ben McCormack, registered St Pat’s first threat on 13 minutes as skipper Joe Redmond’s firm header was straight into the hands of Cherrie.

Three minutes later the home side took the lead following their first incisive move of the game down the right.

Eoin Doyle released Billy King whose cross was teed up cleverly by Mark Doyle for his namesake arriving into the box.

The striker took a couple of touches before mishitting his shot which deflected into the net off Andy Boyle for what looked like an own goal, though Doyle happily claimed it as his 10th league strike of the season.

That really sparked an already intriguing game to life with Dundalk getting their first shot on