Kelly strike decisive as Dundalk move into second place

Daniel Kelly's goal proved the difference at Oriel Park as Dundalk got the better of St Patrick’s Athletic to move up to second place in the SSE Airtricity League table.

The victory for Stephen O’Donnell over his old club means that the Co Louth side are now the main challengers to table toppers Shamrock Rovers, who they trail by eight points - albeit with a game in hand.

This result also opens up a six-point gap over Pat’s with O’Donnell’s return of 34 points at the break one more than Stephen Kenny had in his first season at Oriel Park back in 2013.

The Lilywhites were the better side throughout, but it was a defensive mistake that allowed Kelly slot home his 24th goal in Dundalk colours on 24 minutes.

Tim Clancy’s side did up the intensity late on but were denied on a number of occasions by Welsh goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd who was also immense when these sides played out a scoreless.

It was the visitors who were first to threaten with Eoin Doyle’s header from a Sam Curtis cross being tipped over the bar by Shepperd inside the opening two minutes. Joe Adams then had the first attempt at goal for Dundalk nine minutes later when he bundled his way past Ian Bermingham, but the Welsh U21 international could only scuff his effort tamely at Joseph Anang.

Curtis and Doyle would combine again a minute later, but this time the former Bolton Wanderers striker’s header was straight at Shepperd.

The home side then began to take charge of proceedings with Kelly going close on 17 minutes when he met Lewis Macari’s cross acrobatically only to fire over. Adams then had another effort go to the left and wide before the breakthrough arrived on 24 minutes in what was a bit of a horror show at the back for Pat’s.

After Patrick Hoban looked to