Four-star Pat’s make light work of Limerick challenge

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC maintained their mid-table position with a comfortable win over Limerick FC at the Markets Field.

Goals from by Kevin Toner, Jake Keegan, Simon Madden and a Limerick own goal saw St Pat’s move on to 47 points.

Limerick will now play Finn Harps in the promotion/ relegation play-off after they beat Drogheda United in their two-leg First Division play-off.

It was the Dublin side who made all the running in the opening 10 minutes and nearly took the lead through a fine James Doona strike but Limerick goalkeeper Jack Brady diverted the ball around his right post.

However, St Pat’s broke the deadlock from the resultant Conan Byrne corner. Lee Desmond’s header rebounded off the crossbar and Toner was first to react and guide the ball into an empty net.

St Pat’s grabbed a second goal in the 22nd minute when Ian Bermingham set up Keegan to score from close range after Conor Clifford’s angled, long ball opened up Limerick’s defence.

The home side did well to keep it at 2-0 in the lead-up to half-time but the deficit was doubled in the early stages of the second half.

Firstly, Brady was unable to control a Colman Kennedy back-pass and the ball went over the goal line.

St Pat’s completed the rout moments later when Madden fired home from a right-wing Byrne cross to make it four.

LIMERICK – Brady; Kelly (Fitzgerald, 66), O’Connor, Kennedy, Tracy; Murphy, Duggan; O’Sullivan, Maguire (Foley, 77), Dennehy; Morrissey (Ellis, 56).

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC – Clarke; Madden; Toner, Manley (K Brennan, 46), Bermingham, Clifford (R Brennan, 66), Desmond; Byrne, Markey, Doona, Keegan (Campion, 70).

REF – J McLoughlin.