St Pat's score convincing win over Vaduz in UEFA Conference League qualifier
It has been an up and down season for Stephen Kenny but St Pat's were convincing in their qualifier.
St Pat's 3-1 Vaduz
Stephen Kenny has been consistent in his messaging since taking over St Pat’s that it will be a work in progress under his watch.
The Saints have struggled for consistency with one step forward, two steps back a recurring theme of their season.
Take Sunday’s meek and deflating surrender of their FAI Cup crown - at the first hurdle in Derry as a point in case.
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But this European stage is where Kenny has thrived as a club manager, delivering memories to last a lifetime for Dundalk supporters.
This was his first game back in that environment since 2018, and Jake Mulraney’s brilliant early double ensured it was a happy hunting ground once again.
Skipper Joe Redmond headed a precious third late on, just when Vaduz were upping the ante on the back of their goal. Aaron Bolger nearly bagged a fourth at the death.
But Kenny - with new Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson here in the crowd - can at least dream of an extended run, even if there’s still work to be do in Liechtenstein next week.
When the draw was made, St Pat’s cautioned that Vaduz shouldn’t be dismissed so quickly as they don’t play in Liechtenstein. Why? Well, there’s no league there.
They operate in the Swiss second tier, and finished third behind Sion last season, albeit a whopping 30 points off the pace.
Still, there was a cautious tone struck in the build-up about not dissing opponents who reached the Europa Conference League group stages two years ago.
Well, that meant absolutely nothing to ake Mulraney who tore into the visitors from the outset and afforded them no respect whatsoever.
He fired St Pat’s into a 2-0 lead by the 17th minute, energising the home crowd whose capacity was UEFA-restricted to half what it normally is at 2,388.
Vaduz didn’t know what hit them and they were in a spin from the sixth minute when Mulraney cast the first of his match-winning spells.
Romal Palmer was a menace as the Saints attacking midfielder and was central to that opener, after riding one challenge before winning the free on the edge of the box.
Up stepped Mulraney and he lifted a sublime left-footed effort up and over the wall. And he wasn’t done there as he doubled his haul 11 minutes later.
Lorik Emini collected an innocuous ball from one of his centre-backs but his touch on the turn was abysmal and Jamie Lennon pounced on the loose ball.
He laid off to Palmer who showed quick footwork to shift the ball left to Mulraney while under pressure. Mulrany took one touch and, inside the box, burst the net.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel has 64 Liechtenstein caps and kept a clean sheet away to Euro 2024 finalists Romania just before the tournament. But he was awful for this one.
Emini tried to make amends with a shot at the other end that ended up nearer the corner flag than the goal, much to the jeers of the Saints faithful.
He was having an horrendous night and it was no surprise to see him hooked at half-time, by which time St Pat’s had threatened to pull further clear.
Buchel was better when keeping out a Jamie Lennon diving header off a short corner routine while Lindon Berisha cleared a Chris Forrester effort to safety from three yards.
Saints were in complete control but the old saying that 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in football rang true in the 65th minute.
Saints surrendered possession and territory in the second-half as Vaduz played with more conviction.
When Dominik Schwizer floated in a corner, Denis Simani’s appeal for handball was dismissed. Not that it mattered, as Danilo Del Toro stabbed home from close range.
It took a nick off defender Tom Grivosti and now Vaduz were suddenly forcing the issue and would have been level but for Joseph Anang’s wonder save.
With 16 minutes to play, sub Javier Navarro took a touch with his right foot before a spin, turn and shot with his left brought the best out of Anang.
It was a big save but an even bigger moment in the game as it served a warning to Vaduz that St Pat’s had seen out their blip and that nothing else would come easy.
And sure enough Redmond sealed the victory three minutes later and Bolger nearly made it four at the death. Regardless, St Pat’s are in a great position.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Anang 7; Sjoberg 7, Redmond 7, Grivosti 7, Breslin 6; Forrester 7 (Nolan 87, 5), Lennon 7, Mulraney 8 (McClelland 76, 5); Palmer 7 (Bolger 76, 6), Melia 7 (C Kavanagh 87, 5), Elbouzedi 6 (Leavy 70, 6).
FC VADUZ: Büchel 5; Beeli 5, Simani 5, Berisha 6, Krauchi 6 (Stober 87 ,5); Hasler 5 (De Donno 83, 5) Hammerich 6, Emini 4 (Eberhard 45, 5); Del Toro 6, Cavegn 5 (Navarro 70, 5); Schwizer 6
Referee: Tom Owen (Wales)
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