St Patrick’s Athletic got their championship challenge back on the rails in Dalymount Park with yet another impressive win in a major Dublin derby against one season wonders Bohemians. With the Saints' tenants Shamrock Rovers dropping 3 points in Richmond Park versus Cork City, Friday night's results have helped to dispel some of the gloom that followed the 1-1 draw with Monaghan United last Sunday.
A goal in each half was enough to see off Bohs and add more pressure to their under-fire boss Pete Mahon. Already cruising through Colm Foley's first half goal from a textbook Martin Russell free-kick, Pat Dolan's side put the outcome beyond doubt with three minutes to go when super sub Ger McCarthy brilliantly lobbed outrushing goalkeeper Wayne Russell from 25 yards. An excellent finish to a good win.
Bohemians' manager, Pete Mahon, gave a debut to former St Patrick's star Colin Hawkins but it was obvious from the start that Hawkins was unlikely to lift a poor Bohs side out of their current slump. Bohs were restricted to just one chance in the game despite taking the game to the visitors in the early stages but St Patrick's goalkeeper Shay Kelly saved well from Trevor Molloy after 10 minutes. The shot-stopper was named Independent Saints Player of The Month for October and its easy to see why after such timely saves. Bohs heads soon dropped as they found they were making no in-roads on the Saints back four. Trevor Molloy as usual lost his cool and spent most of the game whinging to the referee and generally contributed little to the game.
St Patrick's Athletic took the lead after 32 minutes when Martin Russell's free kick from the halfway line revealed the extent of Bohemians defensive frailties, allowing the towering Colm Foley to head home with ease. McCarthy's 87th minute goal simply confirmed the extent of the Saints' dominance in Dublin and was no more than they deserved as Babaz, Liam Kelly and Trevor Croly ran the Bohemians back four into the ground.
The goal itself was an absolute peach that eclipsed Glen Crowe's speculative strike in the corresponding fixture last season. Crowe never made the bench in this game and the speculation is that he will drop down a level and join a Scottish side.
Injuries for the Saints: Liam Kelly and Kevin Doyle both limped off injured for the Saints as they took heavy knocks from the ragged Bohs defence.
BOHEMIANS: Michael Dempsey, Shevlin, O'Connor, Hunt, Hawkins, Caffrey, Morrison, Harkin, Molloy, Folan, Mark Dempsey. Subs: W Russell for Michael Dempsey (33 mins), O'Neill for Morrison (63 mins), Field for Shevlin (86 mins).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: S Kelly, Burke, Croly, Marney, Maguire, Foley, Osam, M Russell, Livingstone, L Kelly, K Doyle. Subs: McCarthy for K Doyle (63 mins), Griffin for L Kelly and Harris for M Russell (89 mins).
Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford)
