Saints open up eight point lead
Saturday 26th May 2007, 12:20 am
Gary O'Neill, Saint Patrick's Athletic.
Photo by Tom Carey.
25th May 2007
eircom League of Ireland Premier Division
St. Patrick's Athletic 3
Gary O'Neill 21
Mark Quigley 60
Sean O'Connor 71
Sligo Rovers 1
Chris Turner 75
Richmond Park
A straightforward win for Saint Patrick's Athletic over Sligo Rovers at Richmond Park sent them eight points clear at the top of the eircom League.
Goals from Gary O'Neill, Mark Quigley and Sean O'Connor sent the Saints on their way to a 3-1 victory.
Looking to build on Monday's crucial win over the Drogs, the Saints went in front after 21 minutes when the always lively O'Neill nipped in to intercept a Conor O'Grady back pass. The striker ran in to slot home and leave Sligo with a mountain to climb.
Curran wasted a good chance before the break to at least test Barry Ryan in the Saints goal.
Quigley headed home on the hour as he connected with Anthony Murphy's deep cross from the right.
O'Connor made it 3-1 on 71 minutes as he got in on the end of O'Neill's perfect cross to finish from close range.
Chris Turner got a consolation for Sligon 75 minutes after an uncharacteristic slip-up in the home defence.
However, there was no way back for the visitors and the Dublin side extend their impressive run in 2007.
St. Patrick's Athletic : Ryan, C Foley, Brennan, Maguire, Murphy, Mulcahy, Fahey, Kirby (Frost 55), O'Connor (M Foley 81), O'Neill, M Quigley.
Sligo Rovers : Arcaba, Cretaro, McKenzie, Vasas (Hutchison 73), Kelly, Curran (Manson, 55), O'Grady, Hughes, Turner, Judge (Tierney 86), Kudozovic.