Kenny's Saints come alive with big win over Vaduz

Saint Patrick's Athletic will march to Liechtenstein with a two-goal cushion after they eased by FC Vaduz in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round first leg.

The Stephen Kenny era may have had an underwhelming start domestically but in Europe it began with a bang as a sumptuous first-half brace from Jake Mulraney to put the Saints two up inside 18 minutes.

A moment of sloppiness saw Danilo Del Toro halve the deficit midway through the second half before captain Joe Redmond rose highest to glance Chris Forrester’s free kick home 13 minutes from time.

Kenny would have been looking for a response from his side after Sunday’s drubbing in Derry and he got one in what was his side’s best performance since arriving in May.

The Saints roared out of the traps and smothered their opponents, taking just six minutes to break the deadlock.

Romal Palmer went on a mesmerising run, dodging two tackles before being hacked down on the edge of the area. Mulraney’s free kick from outside the 'D' rattled the top corner, leaving Benjamin Buchel rooted to his spot.

Vaduz were simply unable to live with the Pat's' intensity and Mulraney’s second was a hallmark of that.

Jamie Lennon pinched the ball in midfield and Palmer fed Mulraney who finished low past Buchel.

The tie could have been put to bed inside half an hour. Mulraney almost turned provider from a corner but Buchel stopped Lennon’s diving header.

Vaduz were like schoolboys when defending crosses and Buchel was far from convincing, punching a cross skywards and Forrester had a volley cleared off the line by Liridon Berisha.

The Liechtenstein outfit managed to pick themselves up from the floor and forced a flurry of corners before the interval with Lorik Emini threatening from a