On election count night, table toppers St Patrick’s Athletic exercised their franchise with aplomb as they beat Sligo Rovers 3-1 in an entertaining eircom League of Ireland Premier Division tie at Richmond Park.
Gary O’Neill netted the first on 21 minutes. Mark Quigley headed number two on the hour mark and Sean O’Connor secured the win with a tap-in on 71. Chris Turner got one back for Rovers but it wasn’t enough.
Having conceded four to the Saints at the Showgrounds a month ago, Rovers came looking for revenge and had a few good attempts on goal from several sources across the park including Chris Turner and Zoltan Vasas.
But it was the home side who took the lead with their first real attack of the game on 21 minutes. A Conor O’Grady back-pass was intercepted by O’Neill who fired past Tomas Arcaba from just right of centre.
Sean O’Connor very nearly made it two on 34 minutes, but his wicked strike flew wide of the post having taken a deflection off a Rovers defender.
Turner should have put Rovers level on 43 but he also saw his shot go wide.
Pat’s then doubled their lead on the hour mark when Quigley headed past Arcaba following a deep ball from the right before Sean O’Connor tapped in the third.
Turner grabbed one back for Sligo following a mix up in the Pat’s defence but it was too little, too late.
St Patrick’s Ath: Ryan, Brennan, Maguire, Mulcahy, C Foley, Kirby (Kirby 52), Fahey, O’Neill, M Quigley, Murphy, O’Connor (M Foley 80).
Sligo Rovers: Arcaba, Cretaro, Kelly, McKenzie, Vasas (Hutchinson 84), Turner, O’Grady, Curran (Hanson 77) , Judge (Tierney 87), Hughes, Kudozovic.
Ref: Paul Tuite (Dub)
