An injury-time penalty for from Brandon Kavanagh gave St Patrick’s Athletic a dramatic 3-2 win in an eventful SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game in Dublin on Sunday evening.
Twice, Rovers led in this match – but twice, they were undone by defensive mistakes at the other end.
Rovers took the lead in the opening half thanks to a superb finish from midfielder Connor Malley.
What a goal that is 🚀
My word, Connor Malley 👏#LOI | #PATSLI pic.twitter.com/wTE68GJr4Q
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 4, 2024
That lead, however, lasted barely two minutes as defender Nando Pijnaker gave away a penalty after pulling down former Sligo Rovers striker Aidan Keena.
Keena, recently signed on loan by Pat’s from Cheltenham Town, picked himself up and converted the spot kick against his old club to bring the teams level.
Rovers regained the lead in the early stages of the second-half after a fine Will Fitzgerald cross was headed home by Ellis Chapman.
The visitors looked to be in complete control for a time after that – until a long-range effort from Brandon Kavanagh deceived Rovers keeper Ed McGinty, bouncing over him and into the net to level the game again.
Then came the injury-time drama when Pat’s were awarded a late penalty – to the annoyance of Rovers supporters and manager John Russell, who was sent to the stands by the match referee.
With Pat’s first-half penalty taker Aidan Keena already substituted, Kavanagh kept his cool to covert the spot kick and give Pat’s a dramatic, if contentious, victory.
Sunday’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division result
St Patrick’s Athletic 3 Sligo Rovers 2
