Shamrock Rovers were missing some marquee players but nevertheless edged past St Patrick's to extend their lead at the top of the Premier Division to ten points before 4,365 fans in Inchicore.
Dundalk have a couple of games in hand but, as the Rovers fans chanted, tonight is why Stephen Bradley's men are champions and this was a professional display, albeit they had to survive a late scare.
In a lively encounter, goals from the excellent Andy Lyons and Aaron Greene showcased the depth of the Rovers panel, before Eoin Doyle's consolation in injury time.
This concluded a frustrating few days for Saints, who blew a two-goal lead very late at Finn Harps Friday.
Rovers, meanwhile, will go to Harps Friday ahead of the beginning of their European adventure of 2022 next week. They were pretty solid defensively here and took control of the game in the second half.
For a Monday night, there was quite the buzz around Richmond Park: almost an hour before kick-off a large queue was easing its way into the old ground, with no early-week hangover for either set of fans. Saints fans were in great voice and nearly greater seven minutes in.
Billy King, in goalscoring form at the weekend, should have done better rather than blaze over after a canny Chris Forrester pass.
Dylan Watts responded, his shot deflected over in a lively start; Joseph Anang then needed two goes to gather Greene's strike.
On 19 minutes, almost an unusual opener.
Watts' excellent cross was flicked goalwards by Pico Lopes and Anang nearly helped into the net under no pressure; it was a close-run thing.
With Saints playing four players in attacking positions and Rovers their usual three at the back, it was tactically intriguing.
One Saints fan had a pop at former home favourite Sean Hoare during the water break, Hoare smiling back at him and gesturing that he was keeping an eye on him. It's often an endearing league that we have.
Billy King put Eoin Doyle in, Rovers stretched, but he could not muster any real power in his shot.
The best move of the half ended in Rory Gaffney failing to connect with a Greene cross.
Saints began the second half positively. Darragh Burns teed up Eoin Doyle, who headed wide in front of the away supporters.
Lyons looked likely to put Rovers ahead from Watts' delicious pass, but Jack Scott did superbly well to tackle him just as he was about to shoot. Lyons, yet again, was impressive.
Indeed, he scored the opener 16 minutes into the second half. Watts was again superb in the build-up and Greene's cross found Lyons at the back stick; he hammered into the top of the net.
Lyons' battle with Darragh Burns was compelling from start to finish. Burns has oodles of quality but Lyons' attacking threat is quite something for a player who has until this season spent most of his career in defence.
Forrester could have levelled shortly afterwards but, turning onto his left, he shanked his effort wide when a player of his ability ought to have done much better.
Mannus had to get down to save from King before Greene made it 2-0 on the break from the next attack. Greene, who clearly does not have the pace he once had, was isolated but nevertheless beat two Saints players, Scott and Burns, before blasting beyond Anang and seemingly securing the points.
Owolabi was sprung from the bench and looked sure to make it 2-1 only for Lee Grace to clear off the line. Owolabi may feel he should get more minutes in Richmond Park but Saints fans will feel he should have scored here.
It would have made for an unexpectedly tense conclusion for the visiting fans. Rovers had by now emptied the bench, adding some youth to their outfit in the shape of Aidomo Emakhu and the promising Irish underage international Justin Ferizaj, who made his senior debut here.
Owolabi is a handful and was brought down by Lee Grace in injury time, Doyle converting from the spot, but it was too late.
St Patrick's Athletic: Anang; Scott, Redmond, Grivosti, Breslin; O'Reilly, Forrester, King; Burns (Owolabi 82), E Doyle, M Doyle (McCormack 78).
Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Hoare, Lopes, Grace; Gannon (Finn 73), O'Neill, McCann (Cotter 79), Watts (Ferizaj 84), Lyons; Gaffney (Emakhu 74), Greene (Burke 79).
Referee: Rob Hennessy.
