Bohs send Pat's deep into scrap for survival
Bohemians 3 St Patrick's A 2
Fuad Sule of Bohemians celebrates at the final whistle Photo: Sportsfile
The idea that St Patrick's Athletic are too big to go down will be sorely tested in the weeks ahead as the Saints suffered a big Dublin derby defeat.
This loss to Bohemians puts them in real danger of losing their top-flight status for the first time in their history.
Graham Kelly of St. Patricks Athletic in action against Dan Byrne of Bohemians Photo: Sportsfile
The paying punters, all 2,543 of them, who eschewed Dublin's offerings on culture night, got to see a real thriller, the pace head-spinning from early on with three goals and a red card in the opening 15 minutes alone.
Goals from their two-man strike force of Ismahil Akinade and Dinny Corcoran (2), with responses from the other side by Christy Fagan and Conan Byrne, gave Bohs the win to ease any fears they had of relegation.
Bohs are now safely in sixth place and have a sniff of a top-four finish.
Pat's are today in the bottom three, the drop zone, and another defeat in their next game, away to Shamrock Rovers on Monday, would leave them with very little breathing space in the fight to stay up.
Conan Byrne of St. Patricks Athletic in action against Ian Morris of Bohemians during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match between Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Photo: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
The Saints had a fresh face in their side, Polish keeper Lukasz Skowron making his full league debut.
It was also his first taste of a Dublin derby but it was a torrid night at times for the 26-year-old who came to Ireland after spells in Cyprus and Portugal, as well as his native Poland.
The goals started going in even before some fans had claimed their seats. Bohs went in front in the second minute, Akinade heading home from Paddy Kavanagh's cross.
Former
Pat's were level a minute later, former Bohs man Fagan on target, a fine finish after a good ball from Michael Barker.
The game turned the way of the home side again on 15 minutes, when Corcoran scored from the penalty spot.
Defender Gavin Peers, making his first league start since June, was unable to deal with Akinade in the box so he hauled down the Nigerian-born forward, and referee Ben Connolly decided instantly on a red card and a spot kick.
The Saints suffered on the back of that as Bohs took control and tested Skowron time and again, though the Pole did well to keep his side in it.
Pat's did respond in first-half injury time, Byrne turning Ian Morris and getting a shot on target but Shane Supple was able to save.
Five minutes after the restart, Corcoran, a handy GAA player when time allows it, gave fans of the northside Dublin club more reasons to celebrate with his side's third of the night and his 15th league goal of the season.
Corcoran picked up possession after Akinade's run was blocked and he gave Skowron no chance.
But Pat's, led by captain Killian Brennan, kept their heads and stayed in the game with a 65th-minute goal from Byrne, again an assist coming from Barker.
The arrival off the bench of Kurtis Byrne sparked more hope for the Saints but when Fagan spurned an 85th-minute chance, hitting the woodwork from close range, it was just not going to go their way.
LIMERICK- B Clarke; Cotter (D Clarke 46), Whitehead, O'Connor, Tracy; Hery; Kenny (Crowe 78), Duggan, Lynch, Ogbene; Tosi (Berki 83).
CORK CITY - McNulty; Beattie (Buckley 46), Delaney, Williams, Griffin; Bolger (Ellis 70), Keohane, Morrissey; Dooley (Campion 89), Sheppard, Sadlier
REF - S Grant (Wexford)
