Pat's serve notice for 2025 with ninth straight victory

St Patrick's Athletic finished the season with their ninth win on the bounce as they saw off Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Ex-Rovers man Aidan Keena opened the scoring shortly before half-time in this one, while substitute Roman Palmer settled the result for the visitors at the death.

The result means Pat's end the season in third, their late season run sees them finish four points off champions Shelbourne. While the Bit O'Red, predicted by many as possible relegation candidates are left to settle for a respectable sixth placed finish.

With little to play for but the hope of finishing ahead of Connacht rivals Galway United, the home side made one change from last week's score draw with the Tribesmen. Centre half John Mahon was handed his first start just two days short of one year since his last start for the club following an achilles injury which kept him sidelined for the vast majority of the year.

Hoping for a top two finish and aiming to continue that run of consecutive wins, Pat's likewise made the one switch. Jake Mulraney replacing Zach Elbouzedi from the narrow win over Derry City in Inchicore.

The occasion certainly didn't have an end of season feel with both sides contributing to an entertaining pace to the game.

The Saints looked like they might steal a march inside the opening 60 seconds, but Kian Leavy's touch let him down when it looked like he was through on Ed McGinty's goal.

Three minutes later, Sligo's Luke Pearce then spurned a great chance to open the scoring. Pat's full back Ryan McLaughlin could only nod Will Fitzgerald's looping cross upwards and on to the head of Pearce. The Cardiff loanee had both time and space on his side, but could only head wide from five yards out.

McGinty was on hand to keep