Thanks to mailto:simon_mckell@blick.co.uk for the additional info.
St. Pat's Athletic 2 Saints 0
Team :: Main,McQuillan,Bollan,Dods,McCluksey
O'Neil,Kane,O'Halloran, John Paul,Georgio,Miguel.
Subs :: Unknown
Sloppy St. Johnstone slumped to defeat in the opening match of their Irish tour.
Saints looked rusty and deserved to be beaten by Irish champions St. Patrick's at Dublin's Richmond Park. But boss Sandy Clark wasn't concerned and said "It's only our first game back while St. Pat's have a few games under their belt. We only began our pre-season 10 days ago so I'm reasonably happy at our performance. The only thing that disappointed me was the two goals we conceded. I felt both were unnecessary."
Stuart McCluskey was first to test the St. Pat's defence in the 4th minute. He rose to meet a Gary Bollan free-kick, but his header went harmlessly wide. Trevor Molloy caused havoc for Saints in 24 minutes with a solo effort which he ended weakly by screwing his shot wide. Having replaced Ian Gilzean just before the break, St. Pat's boss Liam Buckley made three half-time substitutions.
For most of the second Saints played second fiddle with St. Pat's new signing Des Byrn causing all sorts of problems, particularly with a 25-yard lob Alan Main had to tip over.
Clark sent on Nathan Lowndes, Danny Griffin and Martin Lauchlan for O'Boyle, McBride and O'Halloran but the pattern remained the same. St.Pat's eventually took the lead in 76 minutes. Skipper Eddie Gormley swung in a corner and Colin Hawkins headed powerfully past Main. And Darren Dods added to Saints woes when he needlessly handled a Byrn cross four minutes from time and Molloy fired in the spot kick.
Perth hitman George O'Boyle said "We were a little bit rusty but there's a long way to go before the start of the season. We passed the ball well and did a lot of things properly."
Thought I would drop you a line regarding a couple of things. I was actually in Dublin last night for the St Pats game where the Perth Saints support was around ten or eleven! We didn't play too well at all, Miguel was on the wing with O'Boyle through the middle in the first half. The line up was Main,McQuillan,Bollan,Dods &McCluksey O'Neil,Kane,O'Halloran & John Paul. Up front was George and Miguel. Interesting to note was that Miguel's shirt number this season is 7 and Nathan has been handed the number 12 shirt, what number will Gerry have this season!!!???
If there was a star performer it was JP which was encouraging, the best you could say was that it was a pre-season friendly and that St Pats play their Euro game on Wednesday. Crazy hand ball from Dods for the penalty, Lauchlan came on (28) in the second half and showed that he is not afraid to take on players..... a major bonus. Highlight of the night was spending the night with the St Pats supporters in the social club after the game, some of the most genuine people you could ever meet.