October 7th - match report

Longford Town 3 Saints 3

Saints blow 3-1 lead in crazy game

A crazy game at Flancare Park produced 6 goals and one saved penalty not to mention plenty of drama in between, but in the end it was a point gained for Stephen Kenny's men and 2 points lost for the Saints.

Babaz opened the scoring on 21 minutes with a well taken goal following some enterprising football from the Saints who had started the game very brightly. Longford than had a penalty which was saved brilliantly by Shay Kelly.

Despite the keepers heroics a moment of carelessness from Robbie Griffin allowed the home team to go in at half time on level terms as Keith "Mumbles" O'Connor capitalised on the ex UCD man's casual backheel to end the half at 1-1. Pats started the second half in fine style as they lived up to the name "Set Piece Athletic" with two excellent goals. Osam powered in the first on 52 minutes and Martin Russell scored direct from a free kick 4 minutes later. The Saints appeared to be home and dry but panic in the defence produced a Trevor Croly o.g. on 67 minutes which threw the beleaguered Longford an unlikely lifeline. In fairness the home team didn't need to be asked twice to accept their invite back into the game and new signing Greg O'Halloran delighted the home support with the equaliser with 5 minutes remaining. The ref played 4 minutes added time and both teams tried to find a winner but it was to end honours even in an action packed game!

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: S Kelly; Crolly, Maguire, Foley, Donnelly, Marney, Osam, Russell, Griffin, Livingtone, L Kelly. Subs: Boyle for Griffin 54 mins; Harris for L Kelly 80 mins.

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; O'Halloran, Smith, McNally, W Byrne, Gavin, S Byrne, Holt, Kirby, O'Connor, Lavine. Subs: Perth for Howthy 74 mins; Rodgers for Gavin 83 mins.

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin)

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