St Patrick's Athletic up to second after putting seven past UCD

Bottom-of-the-table UCD had no answer to the craft and creativity of St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park as Jon Daly’s side threw down their title credentials.

Their fifth home win from five under Daly moves St Pat's into second place in the table above Derry City.

And, very interestingly indeed, to within four points of champions Shamrock Rovers, following their defeat in Dundalk.

With the breeze at their backs, St Pat’s enjoyed plenty of possession from the off, though their final pass meant they laboured initially to trouble UCD.

When they did finally discover their passing range it duly delivered the lead goal on 13 minutes.

Mark Doyle was instrumental, linking with Ben McCormack to thread a ball for the run of Jake Mulraney.

A clumsy challenge by left-back Jesse Dempsey sent the Saints’ winger to ground with referee Neil Doyle showing little hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Skipper Chris Forrester confidently sent Kian Moore the wrong way from the penalty to register his 11th goal of the season.

Minutes later, Mulraney got a run on Brendan Barr in a central position and turned the UCD midfield anchor inside out before rifling narrowly wide of Moore’s left-hand upright.

Raiding again on the half hour, Mulraney cut inside Dempsey, but never got hold of his shot, which Moore comfortably gathered.

With St Pat’s owning the football, Doyle, twice, and McCormack got off shots in the following minutes, though they too lacked the venom to work Moore.

The keeper was helpless, though, when Saints finally added a deserved second goal right on 45 minutes.

The ever dangerous Mulraney mesmerised College on the left and his low, driven cross turned into his own net by the hapless Michael Gallagher.

The game was put to bed within two