Pats beat the team with the league's best defensive record, Derry City by three goals to nil but in truth it could have been six or seven given the second half dominance of a spirited Saint Pats side.
Paul Osam scored the first after 57 minutes with a stunning 25-yard strike, placed to perfection the goal was the perfect reply to the recent attacks on his testimonial dinner by Dermot keely and Noel King of Shelbourne. Darragh Maguire headed the second in the 69th minute and Michael Holt added the third goal in stoppage time to wrap up an easy victory.
However, St Patrick's are once again in the dock over another unregistered player. On this occasion the man at the centre of the allegations is their top goalscorer Mbabazi Charles Livingstone who is alleged to have not been properly registered for five games back in September.
Dooney admitted in a statement: "An irregularity was discovered in the registration form of one player registered with St Patrick's. They have drawn this matter to the attention of the president, Mr Tim O'Flaherty and managing director, Mr Pat Dolan, who I met and asked them to investigate it as a matter of urgency and provide me with certain information. As soon as a response is received from St Patrick's a further statement will be issued."
However, St Patrick's deserved their victory last night with the pick of the goals Osam's stunning 25-yard effort to the top corner. Derry offered no resistance and Ger McCarthy's pace clearly rattled highly rated Darren Kelly.
The visitors were made to pay for those misses in the 68th minute when Maguire headed home a Martin Russell corner. Substitute Holt drove home the third in the 92nd minute.
But everything is really likely to revolve around the off-field problems surrounding the improper registration of Livingstone.
St Patricks Athletic: Kelly, Burke, Maguire, Foley, Osam, Crolly, McCarthy, Griffin, Russell, Livingstone, Marney. Subs: Holt for Marney (53 mins); Kelly for Livingstone (84 mins).
Derry City: Payne, E McCallion, Hargan, Kelly, McLoughlin, Doherty, Phillips, McGlynn, Hughes, T McCallion, Beckett. Subs: Coyle for McGlynn (31 mins); McCall for Hughes (69 mins); McCreadie for Phillips (70 mins).
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)
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