5th March. Quality finishing the difference at Richmond Park. St. Patrick's Athletic 3-1 Portadown: All-Ireland Cup, Group B.
Portdown succumbed to a 3-1 loss in this evening's All-Ireland Cup clash at Richmond Park.
A national newspaper claimed that the difference between the sides was superior finishing from the St. Pat's Athletic strikers.
In the 7th minute, Ryan Guy nearly put St. Pat's 1-0 up when Dempsey cut out a Chris Bell clearance. Guy recieved a fine pass from the midfielder and took a thunderous shot. But it flew wide. 3 minutes later however, Frank Hamilton didn't miss at the other end for Portadown when Gerald Calvin stormed down the wing a delivered a cross David Beckham would be proud of, which found itself perfectly on the head of Hamilton, which in turn then found itself in the back of the net for Portadown to go 1-0 up. Up until the 15th minute, nothing really happened. Then out of nowhere, up popped Gary O'Neill to slot home the equaliser. Immediately after kick-off though, Portadown went straight for the throat of the Super Saints and Gourley disposessed Jamie Adams just outside the area and took a shot but Ryan saved and held the ball well. St. Pat's finally got in the groove and by the 22nd minute, they were nearly rewarded for their efforts when O'Neill lost his man but his vicious shot was saved by the body of McAllister then O'Neill blasted the rebound over the bar. 2 minutes later, Mark Quigley had a chance after Adams done all the hard work by going past three of Portadown's players and slid a pass to Quigley, who failed to test the keeper when he flicked the ball over the bar. St. Pat's pushed and pushed and finally in the 37th minute, Portdown's defence fell down when a poor decision by Kevin Duffin to hold the ball in defence was taken advantage of by O'Neill, who then blasted the ball home to put St. Pat's ahead. The Portadown players moaned about the goal but was told to play on.
The second half picked up where the first half left off, St. Pat's continued to try and force a way through Portadown. Immediately from kick-off, St. Pat's surged foward like a red and white sea and Ryan Guy managed to find a cross/shot that severely tested McAllister's goalkeeping abilities.
Once again McAllister was called into action in the 52nd minute when Guy advanced through the middle of Portadown and hit a banana shot which McAllister tipped over the bar with his fingertips. Portadown had a rare attack in the 63rd minute when Neil Williamson was tripped by Guy. Gourley took the free kick but the wall absorbed any danger from the shot and Barry Ryan easily gathered. Finally Portadown gave up and conceded another in the 75th minute when David Lowry, after recieving the ball from Amankwaah, chipped to ball to Guy who volleyed the ball past McAllister. There was nothing McAllister could do about that. The time ticked away and Adams found Dempsey on the left, Dempsey then played the ball to Guy's feet. Guy then took a shot but it cannoned off the bar and fell harmlessly over.
St. Pat's: Ryan (7), Paisley (7), Adams (7), Rogers (7), Amankwaah (7), Keane (7), Ndo (7), Dempsey (7), Guy (8), O'Neill (8), Quigley (7).
Subs: Brennan (7), Byrne (7).
Portadown: McAllister (6), C. Bell (7), Redman (6), P. Bell (6), Duffin (7), Nash (7), Calvin (7), Williamson (7), Gourley (7), McCarthy (6), Hamilton (8).
Subs: Forbes (6), Watson (7), Lowry (7).
Injuries: P. Bell.
Man Of The Match: Gary O'Neill (St. Patrick's Athletic).
O'Neill had the quality to put the Portadown defence to the sword and finished the match with two goals. 9th March. Quality of possession provides victory. St. Patrick's Athletic 3-1 University College Dublin: Premier Division.
An efficient peformance from St. Pat's Athletic saw them run out 3-1 winners over U.C.D. at Richmond Park.
Many journalists after the game commented that St. Pat's better use of the ball proved the vital factor in the win.
It was as early as the 2nd minute before St. Pat's got into the stride they finished with the last match, when Ndo found Guy with what can only be described as the best pass of the day. Unfortunately Guy couldn't finish the move and blazed the ball over the bar. Byrne at the other end had a chance to put U.C.D. in front but his shot only found the side netting. U.C.D. started to push forward a bit more and they were reward for their efforts with a goal from Finn in the 13th minute. St. Pat's O'Cearuill was at fault for that goal when he was caught dwelling on the ball, only to be robbed of it by Finn who struck the ball with fury. A furious Ruane changed the shape of his side and St. Pat's looked a more capable team. Their passes found each other and they played rings round U.C.D. many times. In the 22nd minute Guy saw Connelly in the U.C.D. goal off of his line. An audacious chip shot was performed which just clipped the cross bar. Apparently an angry Ruane could be heard on the touchline, shouting at the American not to try anymore tricks. Guy reacted to that telling off very well and when he recieved the ball from O'Cearuill in thw 28th minute, he didn't try anything fancy. Just blunt force trauma as he smashed the ball into the net for the equaliser. Apparently, the match ball was rushed to hospital with brain trauma after that severe kicking. Later in the 32nd minute, Dempsey hit a vicious shot at goal that was blocked by Mahon. Quigley pounced on the rebound, turned and shot. That was St. Pat's 2nd goal in the space of 4 minutes.
Dempsey had another chance to put The Super Saints further in front in the 42nd minute when Mahon shoved Quigley in the back. Mahon recieved a yellow card and Dempsey was given the chance to score from the resulting free kick. Unfortunately, Dempsey couldn't keep his shot down.
After half time, St. Pat's came out looking for that 3rd goal and in the 57th minute, Ndo managed to beat U.C.D. players left right and centre but when he attempted a thunderous drive, the ball went high, wide and not very handsome. On 60, Ndo was given a yellow card for pulling on Bolger's shirt.
In the 66 minute, U.C.D.'s Hurley managed a snap shot that caught St. Pat's defence off guard but Ryan saved with relative ease. As full time was looming, Tommy Purcell found himself in some space before releasing Pat McWalter, hearts were in the mouths of St. Pat's fans as Ryan dived at his feet to make an awesome save. Then Ryan released O'Cearuill who hoofed the ball down field. Guy gathered up the loose ball and passed it square to Stephen Brennan, who in turn passed it to O'Neill. O'Neill turned on the ball and played a pin point pass to Guy, who has ran the length of the field to slot home his second goal of the game and St. Pat's third.
St. Pat's: Ryan (7), Paisley (7), Adams (7), O'Cearuill (7), Amankwaah (7), Keane (7), Ndo (7), Dempsey (7), Guy (9), Quigley (8), O'Neill (7).
Subs: Brennan (7), Byrne (7).
Booked: O'Cearuill, Ndo.
U.C.D: Connolly (7), Mahon (7), Bermingham (6), McNally (7), Kenna (6), McWalter (7), Bolger (7), Hurley (6), Reilly (6), Byrne (6), Finn (8).
Subs: Shortall (6), Harte (6), Purcell (6).
Booked: Mahon.
Man Of The Match: Ryan Guy (St. Patrick's Athletic).
Guy had the quality to put the U.C.D. defence to the sword and finished the match on two goals. 12th March. Super Saints enjoy win over The Reds. Cliftonville 0-2 St. Patrick's Athletic: All-Ireland Cup, Group B.
A highly polished performance from the St. Patrick's Athletic players saw their team run out 2-0 winners over Cliftonville at Solitude.
The superiority enjoyed by Super Saints was such that the winning margin could well have been far greater.
The 5th minute was the first incident. Woods blocked a shot from Dempsey and Connolly saved with no problem. About 6 minutes later, Rogers passed the ball forward to Ndo after intercepting a pass. Ndo flicked the ball into the box but Connelly punched the ball out. The ball fell into the path of Gary O'Neill who hit the ball with a bit too much spin and it ended in the side of the net. Connelly was forced to make another save in the 15th minute when Sproule tripped Guy. Guy cracked the ball, which hit the wall making it awkward for Connolly, but the 30 year old veteran keeper had no problems in the end. A minute later though, a poor clearance by Connelly lead to O'Neill having a crack at goal. Luckily for Connelly though, the ball went harmlessly wide. It was a dismal effort in the end. O'Neill should never miss from the range. In the 21st minute, O'Neill had a chance to make amends when Dempsey intercepted the ball and played a nice ball for O'Neill. O'Neill bore down on goal before smashing the ball towards the top corner. The shot hit the side netting. Finally St. Pat's patience paid off in the 28th minute. O'Neill, still trying to score, hit an wonder strike that Connelly only just managed to keep out but Quigley was on the rebound like lightning and put it away for the lead. 5 minutes later, O'Neill burst clean through behind the defence and unleashed a fierce high drive at goal that ripped the back of the net. O'Neill had finally scored. 2-0 to St. Pat's. St. Pat's continued their push for more goals, something that's becoming apparent to Pat's fans is that Ruane prefers to attack first and defend later. Connelly was called into action for a double save from Ndo first then Dempsey, just before half time to keep the scoreline respectable.
St. Pat's continued the play after the break. In the 47th minute, Amankwaah took a throw in that found itself to O'Neill via Adams, Guy and Dempsey only for Connelly to make yet another fantastic save to prevent O'Neill another goal. On 51, Joseph Ndo tried to cheekily toe poke the ball past Connelly but it went wide. 10 minutes later Keane was picked out by Dempsey. Keane broke the offside trap and blasted the shot at Connelly. John Connolly saved but couldn't hold onto the ball. In the 67th minute, Mark Kee recieved a good looking pass from Ryan Smith but the shot, which was weak, was sent wide of the mark. Cliftonville had on last shot at goal in the 79 minute when Kee forced a good save from Ryan after a close range header. After that, Cliftonville failed to bother St. Pat's.
Cliftonville: Connelly (8), McAllister (6), Brian McMurray (7), Maguire (7), Woods (7), Doherty (7), McKenna (7), Parkes (6), Sproule (7), Smith (7), Smyth (7).
Subs: Kee (7), McVicker (7), McMillan (7).
Booked: Parkes, Sproule.
St. Pat's: Ryan (7), Paisley (7), Adams (7), Rogers (7), Amankwaah (8), Keane (6), Ndo (7), Dempsey (7), Guy (8), Quigley (8), O'Neill (8).
Booked: Rogers, Keane.
Man Of The Match: Mark Quigley (St. Patrick's Athletic).
The 21 year-old striker took his goal well for St. Pat's and generally looked lively. St. Pat's Athletic qualify for Semi Final. After their 2-0 away win over Cliftonville, St. Pat's Athletic have qualified from Group B in the All-Ireland Cup.
16th March. Quality of possession provides victory. Waterford United 0-3 St. Patrick's Athletic: Premier Division.
An efficient peformance from St. Pat's Athletic saw them run out 3-0 winners over Waterford at the Regional Sports Centre.
Many journalists after the game commented that St. Pat's better use of the ball proved the vital factor in the win.
When bottom of the league invited top of the league to a game of football, it was never going to be pretty. Even this early in the season. St. Pat's continued their resurgence under the leadership of Stephen Ruane and it only took Ruane's side 3 minutes before they took the lead. O'Neill sloted home his 5th goal of the season after Guy played a superb ball for his team mate. Waterford's Bermingham nearly put Waterford on level terms in the 7th minute when Sullivan played a nice through ball to Bermingham but his shot went well over the bar. You could clearly see the disappointment on the face of Bermingham after that glaring miss. In the 19th minute, it started to rain and Ndo cut through the rain and Waterford's defence with a lovely ball to O'Neill who side footed the ball into the arms of O'Malley. At the other end about 3 minutes later, Bermingham hit a half volley towards goal but again, it flew over. On the stroke of halftime Guy rose bravely above Dunphy to win the ball. Guy and Adams then exchanged passes before Guy released O'Neill with a good looking ball. O'Neill got free in the penalty area but his snap shot was tipped wide by O'Mailley.
St. Pat's carried on after the break and nearly doubled their lead when Ndo found the feet of Guy, who played a pinpoint pass to Mark Quigley. Quigley made some space for himself with a good move and hit a shot that O'Mailley parried. St. Pat's doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Gary O'Neill found some space a placed the ball in the net. 5 minutes later, O'Neill was denied his hat-trick when Ndo floated a ball over the defence and found O'Neill in space. Unfortunately for O'Neill and St. Pat's, it was ruled out for offside. Straight from the free kick Hayes played the ball forward. Bermingham got on the end of the pass and hit a vicious shot towards the top corner which deflected off of Paisley but Ryan gathered the ball safely.
With 10 minutes to go, Paisley found Adams in the middle of the park. Adams spun with the ball expertly and hit a low pass to Guy. Guy advanced on the keeper and unleashed a vicious shot towards the top corner but the ball cannoned off the bar. Then with 4 minutes to go, the inevitable third St. Pat's goal came when Ndo swung in a cross towards Dempsey, who finished the game off with a splendid header. 4 minutes were added on but neither team could score any more goals in this exciting league encounter.
Waterford Utd: O'Mailley (6), Hayes (6), Browne (7), Cusick (6), Breen (6), Waters (7), Foley (6), Doherty (7), Dunphy (6), Bermingham (6), Sullivan (6).
Subs: Warren (7), Quigley (7), Delahunty (6).
Booked: Dunphy.
St. Pat's: Ryan (7), Paisley (8), Adams (7), O'Cearuill (7), Amankwaah (8), Keane (8), Ndo (8), Dempsey (8), Guy (8), Quigley (7), O'Neill (9).
Booked: Dempsey.
Man Of The Match: Gary O'Neill (St. Patrick's Athletic).
O'Neill had the quality to put the Waterford defence to the sword and finished the match with two goals. He was unlucky not have a hat-trick. The former Shelbourne player has surprised a few people by leading the St. Pat's Athletic goalscoring charts, hitting six goals in five appearances. 19th March. The Drogs win battle of Richmond Park. St Patrick's Athletic 1-2 Drogheda United: All-Ireland Cup, Group B.
Drogheda United battled their way to a 2-1 victory in this evenly-matched contest between two hard working teams.
On a fine spring evening at Richmond Park, St. Pat's AThletic will certainly feel slighty aggrieved at losing a game which could in truth have gone either way.
In the 5th minute, Stuart Byrne's clearance was cut out by Kevin Amankwaah. Amankwaah moved forward with the ball and put in a low cross from the left that found O'Neill at the near post. Unfortunately his header went well wide. 10 minutes later Guy dragged Keegan down inside the area. Without hesitation, the referee pointed to the spot. O'Brien stepped up and scored past Ryan making it 1-0 to Drogheda. Both sides had chances to score before half-time with O'Brien coming close in the 23rd minute when he hit the ball just wide after the flag had been shown for offside. Guy also had a chance just before half-time when his header, from Dempsey's chip, clipped the post and went wide.
Again, both sides started the second half with the same intentions from the first half with both sides having chances.O'Brien again had a shot in the 57th minute that skimmed the crossbar and in the 63rd minute Ristila had an awesome chance to put Drogheda two up. This seemed to give St. Pat's a kick up the behind and they managed to get a few attempts on goal. But Vilmunen managed to eep his goal intact. Then against the run of play in the 72nd minute, O'Brien popped up to get on the end of a Hughes throw-in to put Drogheda two up. St. Pat's picked themselves up and went for the two goals needed to draw and one came in the 87th minute when Quigley rose bravely above Gartland to get a head on Brennan's long ball forward to get a consolation goal. The final whistle blew 4 minutes later, giving Ruane his first loss as St. Pat's manager.
St. Pat's: Ryan (6), Paisley (6), Adams (6), O'Cearuill (8), Amankwaah (6), Keane (6), Ndo (7), Dempsey (6), Guy (5), Quigley (7), O'Neill (6).
Subs: Byrne (7), Brennan (7).
Booked: Guy.
Drogheda: Vilmunen (7), Shelley (7), Cahill (7), Gavin (7), Gartland (7), Baker (7), Hughes (8), Keegan (8), Byrne (7), Ristilia (7), O'Brien (8).
Subs: Prunty (7), Hunt (6).
Man Of The Match: Declan O'Brien (Drogheda United).
O'Brien's presence on the pitch was an inspiration to his team and the striker finished the game with two goals to cap a scintillating performance from the Drogheda Utd skipper.
O'Brien has been in superb form for Dorgheda Utd so far this season, helping his team's cause with a fantastic return of three goals in four appearances. 26th March. Quality of possession provides victory. Portadown 1-3 St. Patrick's Athletic: Premier Division.
An efficient peformance from St. Pat's Athletic saw them run out 3-1 winners over Portadown at Shamrock Park.
Many journalists after the game commented that St. Pat's better use of the ball proved the vital factor in the win.
St. Pat's entered this game determined to make amends for their closely fought loss against Drogheda and nearly went ahead in as little as two minutes when Amankwaah hit a shot that deflected off of Redman for a corner. The resulting corner was scrambled out of the area by McAllister.
St. Pat's finally broke Portadown down in the 19th minute. Quigley recieved a first time pass from Guy then he turned magically and tried a low drive that beat Portadown's keeper. In the 22nd minute, Ryan fumbled a ball that came in from right and Hamilton jumped on the chance to score, making it 1-1.
Between the 30th and 38th minutes, both sides having a couple of chances to go into the lead, O'Neill in the 30th minute forced a save from McAllister and Liam Gourley tested Ryan from close range. But it was Gary Dempsey that put St. Pat's into the lead when he flighted a free-kick past McAllister in the 39th minute after Clavin brought him down just outside the area.
The second half was an interesting contest with chances coming and going on both sides before O'Neill made the game safe for The Super Saints in the 82nd minute giving St. Pat's the victory in their final group game in the All-Ireland Cup.
Portadown: McAllister (6), Bell (7), Redman (7), Bell (6), Duffin (6), Nash (8), Calvin (7), Williamson (7), Gourley (7), McCarthy (7), Hamilton (8).
Subs: McDowell (6), Forsythe (7), Watson (6).
Booked: Gourley.
St. Pat's: Ryan (5), Rogers (7), Lynch (7), O'Cearuill (7), Amankwaah (7), Keane (7), Dempsey (8), Paisley (7), Guy (8), Quigley (8), O'Neill (8).
Booked: Rogers, Amankwaah, Keane.
Man Of The Match: Gary Dempsey (St. Patrick's Athletic).
The central midfielder netted the best goal of the game to round off his performance by scoring a long range freekick.
Dempsey put in an impressive performance for St. Pat's Athletic and his goal will have been the icing on the cake for the central midfielder. 28th March. St. Pat's Athletic get Cork City in All-Ireland Cup. St. Patrick's Athletic will play Cork City in the All-Ireland Cup Semi-Final.
The game will be played at Turner's Cross on Monday 9th April 2007.
As a result, The Sligo Rovers vs St. Pat's Athletic Irish Premier Division match has been re-arranged for Tuesday 24th April 2007.
31st March. St. Pat's Athletic miss chance to win. Longford Town 1-1 St. Patrick's Athletic: Premier Division.
St Patrick's Athletic fans will have been fustrated by their side's 1-1 draw with Longford Town at Flancare Park.
The Irish Premier Division game ended all square despite St. Pat's being by far the dominant force throughout the match.
In as little as the 5th minute, O'Neill had a great chance when Ndo played a perfect ball to him but O'Neill's shot went high and wide. Ndo had a chance to put St. Pat's ahead in the 11th minute when he hit a freekick that Shay Kelly saved in style with the tips of his fingers. 5 minutes later, St. Pat's attacked again, this time through Quigley. Guy hit a freekick into the box and Quigley hit the ball well wide. Finally in the 28th, O'Neill took the ball off of O'Donnell and hit the ball past the goalie to make it 1-0. Again in the 36th minute, Quigley nearly made it two when he pounced on O'Neill's rebounded shot, only for it to be deflected off Murray for a corner. St. Pat's continued their dominance and yet again, went close to doubling their lead when Guy sent O'Neill through. O'Neill however lost control of the ball and it went out for a goal kick.
In the second half, St. Pat's again came close through Guy in the 52nd minute, but his shot went high and wide.
Longford had a rare attack in the 56th minute when Casey picked out Grant, only for Grant to hit his shot well wide of the goal. In the 63rd minute, Murray threw the game into controversy when Murray brought down O'Neill to recieve a second yellow card. Unbelievably a minute later, Longford scored an equaliser against the run of play. Barry Ryan threw the ball out to Amankwaah but Shane Harte intercepted it and hit the ball past Ryan. Ryan literally threw St. Pat's lead away. St. Pat's continued their search for a second goal, Amankwaah coming closest in a series of chances in the 75th minute, but no-one could get past Kelly in the Longford goal.
Longford: Kelly (7), Duncliffe (7), O'Donnell (6), Murray (7), Napier (6), Finnegan (6), Casey (7), McNicholas (6), Harte (8), Grant (7), Kierans (7).
Subs: Wexler (7), Perth (7).
Sent-Off: Murray.
St. Pat's: Ryan (7), Paisley (7), Adams (7), O'Cearuill (7), Amankwaah (7), Keane (7), Ndo (7), Dempsey (6), Guy (7), Quigley (6), O'Neill (8).
Booked: Adams, Ndo.
Man Of The Match: Shane Harte (Longford).
Harte put in an impressive performance for Longford and his goal will have been the icing on the cake for the central midfielder.
Harte is a new signing at Flancare Park, having joind from part-timers Waterford United in January. 
