KNOCKED out of the FAI Cup on Tuesday and with off-the-field problems, if there was one team Dundalk would not have wanted to play last night, it was St Patrick's Athletic who arrived at Oriel Park with an unbeaten run here that stretched back 13 years. They kept that record – and their title bid – intact thanks to a brace from Seán O'Connor.

His first goal came as a result of some poor goalkeeping by Peter Cherrie. The Scot cut out a Derek Pender pass but his clearance landed at the feet of O'Connor who found the empty net. It got worse as Dundalk's Mark Quigley was sent off for arguing with referee Alan Kelly.

Paul Crowley forced Cherrie into a good save in the 33rd minute before Crowley and Daryl Kavanagh wasted chances three minutes later. O'Connor then blazed over from 12 yards just before half-time but he hit his second in the 57th minute, smashing a drive past Cherrie.

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Team	Pld	Pts
Shamrock Rovers	36	72
Derry City	36	65
St Patrick's Athletic	36	62
Shelbourne	36	60
Dundalk	36	58
Bohemian FC	36	58
Drogheda United	36	41
Sligo Rovers	36	37
Cork City	36	31
UCD	36	11