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St. Pats lift Airtricity League trophy after draw with Derry

17 Oct 2013

St Patrick's Athletic partied like it was 1999 after receiving the Airtricity Premier Division trophy following Friday night's draw with Derry City at Richmond Park.

A great season for Pat's has also seen them win more matches than any other, lose the fewest number of games, score the most goals and concede the least.

It's a huge turnaround for a club that as recently as two season ago could have gone out of business following a disagreement over players' bonuses for European games.

Conor Kenna now joins the list of captains of this proud club, a list that includes legendary names like Damien Byrne and Johnny McDonnell, to have lifted the league trophy.

Derry City came to Dublin with hopes of finishing fourth in the table and securing European football for next summer - though that will only happen if the already European-qualified Sligo Rovers beat Drogheda United in next month's FAI Ford Cup final.

The visitors had early chance through Patrick McEleney before Michael Rafter hit the crossbar on seven minutes before taking the lead on 34 minutes through Barry McNamee. Ryan Curran was the provider with a pin-point cross for McNamee who fired past Brendan Clarke at his near post from ten yards.

Rory Patterson could have doubled Derry's lead on 56 minutes when he struck a free-kick from a dangerous position but his hard shot floated over the top.

Rafter was next to try his luck for Derry, on 69 minutes, but having slalomed into the Pat's box unchallenged he then crashed his shot over the bar.

Anto Flood equalised for Pat's with a terrific shot into the far corner of Ger Doherty's net from 20 yards on 81 minutes.

After three minutes of injury time referee Padraigh Sutton blew his whistle and the party began in earnest with the Airtricity League trophy being presented to St Pat's captain Conor Kenna (pictured).