St Patrick's Athletic 1 Monaghan United 1:A BRILLIANT double save from a second half penalty by Chris Bennion prevented St Patricks from being top of the table on their name day on a night of high drama by the Camac.
Dean Kelly was hero and villain for St Patrick’s, equalising Monaghan’s early lead before being sent off before half-time for diving in with his studs showing on Stephen Maher after overrunning the ball
The drama continued into the second half with former Saint, Bennion, saving Stephen O’Flynn’s 67th-minute penalty after Conor McMahon pushed over substitute Jake Kelly. Bennion then bravely spread himself to also parry away Chris Forrester’s follow up.
Despite being down to 10 men, St Patrick’s remained the better side and Forrester cracked a stunning right-foot shot off Bennion’s left-hand post seven minutes later while John Russell curled a shot just off target in stoppage time.
Bennion still had time to further excel when saving at full stretch from Ian Daly before the whistle went.
Monaghan started brightly and took a third-minute lead, punishing some loose defending.
Danny McGuinness whipped over a cross from the right and Conor Murphy’s flick seemed to catch home goalkeeper Brendan Clarke by surprise with the shot squirming first through his hands and then between his legs.
But St Patrick’s powered back, forcing three corners before equalising on 14 minutes.
Dean Kelly, who scored on his debut on the opening night against Bray, further endeared himself to the home faithful when looping a shot over Bennion from the edge of the area.
Minutes later Kelly rattled the Monaghan crossbar with a direct free-kick from 25 yards.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Clarke; O’Brien, Kenna, Browne, Bermingham; Russell, Chambers (J Kelly, 66 mins), Bolger; Forrester (Meenan, 82 mins), D Kelly, O’Flynn (Daly, 78 mins.).
MONAGHAN UNITED: Bennion; McDonagh, Byrne, McMahon; McGuinness (Isichei, 63 mins), Bayly, Maher, Quinn, Marks (Griffiths, 52 mins); Murphy (Humphrey, 73 mins), Keegan.
Referee: Tomás Connolly (Dublin).
