Michaal Noonan, Graham Burke and Aaron Greene fired Shamrock Rovers to a comfortable 4-0 win over St Patrick's Athletic in Tallaght.
Sean McDermott Street man Burke hit the net either side of the break as the Hoops opened a five-point lead at the top of the table, albeit with a game more played than second-placed Derry City and Bohemians.
Tallaght boys Noonan and Greene - both at opposite ends of the age spectrum - bookended Burke’s double to put Rovers in a commanding position.
The Saints were less than saintly in the first half as they conceded two sloppy goals in an otherwise even opening of exchanges.
Goalkeeper Joe Anang, who has been imperious between the posts for St Pat's in 2025, made two rare errors to gift Rovers the game.
Noonan broke the deadlock midway through the opening period as Anang went awol trying to intercept Burke’s through-ball.
The hometown hero, who is quick becoming a cult hero on Whitestown Way, skipped in front of the Englishman and slotted into an open goal in a near carbon copy of his crucial strike at Waterford on Friday.
The 16-year-old Noonan had already tested Anang with a strike inside the first two minutes as he called upon the stopper to dive low to his right.
Luke Turner forced a stop from Rovers keeper Ed McGinty and Seán Hoare nodded narrowly over against his former club in a tight opening spell.
The Hoops doubled their lead ten minutes before the break as they played calmly from the back, Lee Grace putting Burke into space and his low shot deceived Anang at his near post.
Burke doubled his tally, and made it three for Rovers, five minutes after the break with a simple finish from Noonan’s cross.
And Greene got into the act with his first touch of the ball after being introduced as a 68th-minute sub, an emphatic finish from inside the box.
The home fans clearly enjoyed the spectacle, serenading ex-boss Stephen Kenny with chants of "you’re getting sacked in the morning" and "can we play you every week?"
It is unlikely to be the last duel between the sides in 2025, however, with both teams set to partake in the Europa Conference League this summer and compete for domestic honours..
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Josh Honohan, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace (Trevor Clarke 61); Cory O’Sullivan, Darragh Nugent (Danny Mandroiu 68), Matt Healy, Danny Grant; Jack Byrne (Dylan Watts 68), Graham Burke (Aaron McEneff 68), Michael Noonan (Aaron Greene 68).
St Patrick’s Athletic: Joe Anang; Luke Tuner (Jay McClelland 56), Joe Remond, Seán Hoare; Jamie Lennon, Barry Bagley (Anthony Breslin 69), Brandon Kavanagh (Ryan McLaughlin 80); Simon Power (Conor Carty 80); Zack Elbouzedi, Mason Melia, Aidan Keena (Jake Mulraney 56).
Referee: Damien McGraith (Mayo).
