IF failure to triumph at home against the teams propping up the table is any yardstick, then champions St Patrick's Athletic's title hopes are all but gone.
Bray Wanderers visited Richmond Park and were full value for a 2-2 draw, Home Farm/Everton won there a fortnight ago and last night Dundalk could and should have won also, having been 2-0 up after 12 minutes.
Brendan Markey made the perfect return to the domestic game he left 11 months ago by scoring after only seven minutes from 12 yards.
Dundalk's second goal five minutes later was a bizarre effort. Dundalk captain Mick Doohan had remained upfield following a corner as the ball was played back across the St Patrick's 18 yard line by Brian Byrne. Doohan headed goalward surely in hope only, but the ball beat Brian McKenna at his right hand post.
St Patrick's got back on track in the 27th minute when Martin Reilly reacted well to Paul Osam's header from Paul McGee's corner to head the ball over Les Fridge.
A controversial incident turned the game in St Patrick's favour three minutes later when Robbie Devereaux was harshly red carded by referee Richard O'Hanlon following a trip on Liam Buckley.
Dundalk's problems worsened before half time when Ray Campbell was stretchered off to hospital with an injured left leg while Markey also retired, though with a less serious knock.
Dundalk strung five across the back in preparation for the expected St Patrick's onslaught. But the introduction of Ricky O'Flaherty in the 59th minute unhinged them and he scored the equaliser four minutes later.