REPORT: Kenny praises Hoban after title-clinching goal

Dundalk are the 2018 SSE Airtricity League Champions following a somewhat tense affair at Oriel Park.

It was set alight in the final minute of the game when Patrick Hoban provided the difference to get the Lilywhites finally over the line much to the delight of a massive home crowd.

Dundalk looked as if they had gotten off to the perfect start when Massey and Benson struck the post, you would have put your house on Hoban to score the rebound but it went well wide.

Dundalk continued to press but Hoban and Connolly couldn't hit the net despite guilt-edge chances. St Patrick's Athletic, while rarely attacked, looked threatening on the break. Conor Clifford made a few heartbeats skip and Conan Byrne looked threatening on set pieces.

It was Clifford, the former Dundalk man, who sent Oriel into deep silence when he struck home from close range after a fantastic move early in the second-half.

It only seemed to spur Dundalk on as they pushed for an equalizer. They finally got it in the 90th minute when Hoban finally got his just rewards, after a fantastic Patrick McEleney cross, and slotted home to bring the title to Oriel Park.

Not only did he bring the back to Oriel Park but broke the Premier Division goal-scoring record with his 26th goal of the season.