St Pat’s look convincing in win over Finn Harps

St Patrick’s Athletic 4 Finn Harps 1

St Patrick’s Athletic recorded an emphatic triumph over Finn Harps at Richmond Park to move ahead of champions Shamrock Rovers on goals scored at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table.

Following a relatively even opening, Ronan Coughlan’s powerful shot on the turn broke the deadlock in the 38th-minute. This was the Limerick native’s third goal in as many games and crucially offered Pat’s a 1-0 interval cushion.

The Saints were expected to push on in the second half and Benson’s composed finish just past the hour mark doubled their advantage. While this provided the south Dubliners with considerable breathing space, a Coughlan tap-in on 67 minutes eliminated any prospect of a dramatic turnaround from Harps.

The Ballybofey visitors did breach the Pat’s defence inside the final-quarter through Adam Foley, but Pat’s had the final say when Alfie Lewis delicately lobbed Mark Anthony McGinley with four minutes remaining.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Jaros; Mountney, Desmond, Barrett, Bermingham; Lewis, Forrester, Benson (McCormack, 83 mins); King (Burns, 61 mins), Coughlan, Smith (McClelland, 78 mins).

Finn Harps: McGinley; Seymore, McEleney, Sidiki (Bradley-Walsh, 79 mins), Boyle; Coyle, Rainey; Foley (Reddin, 87 mins), Barry (T McNamee, 67 mins), B McNamee (Logue, 79 mins); Owolabi (Boyd, 67 mins).

Referee: R Harvey (Dublin).