Updated at 23.20
St Patrick’s Athletic 4
Finn Harps 1
Ronan Macnamara reports from Richmond Park
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC made it three wins on the spin after Ronan Coughlan’s brace and goals from Robbie Benson and Alfie Lewis saw Pats ease to a 4-1 win over Finn Harps in front of a carnival atmosphere at Richmond Park.
The result moves the Saints level with Shamrock Rovers at the summit of the Premier Division.
John Mountney had the best chance of the half on two minutes, glancing Lewis’s inswinging free-kick wide from close range.
Harps were stubborn throughout the half and went close through a couple of long-range attempts including Ethan Boyle, who saw a 25-yard volley parried away by Pats stopper Vitezslav Jaros.
The visitors had a massive penalty appeal turned down after Lee Desmond made a hash of dealing with a flick on, allowing Tunde Owalabi to race in and he appeared to be hauled down by Jaros but referee Rob Harvey gave a corner.
Lewis dazzled throughout, and he fed Coughlan in the area who produced a great turn to make space in the crowded box for a left-footed strike that flashed by Mark McGinley clipping the bar on its way in after 37 minutes.
Pat’s controlled the second period and Benson doubled their advantage after he was found by Coughlan, he turned and beat McGinley with ease just after the hour mark.
Coughlan tapped home moments later for his second after Darragh Burns found him with an inch-perfect ball from the end line.
Adam Foley gave Harps a lifeline with his eighth goal of the season, beating Ian Bermingham for pace and slotting past the onrushing Jaros with 17 to play.
The Saints made it four when Lewis raced onto Chris Forrester’s defence-splitting pass, chipping McGinley to cap off an outstanding individual performance.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Vitezslav Jaros, John Mountney, Ian Bermingham, Lee Desmond, Robbie Benson (McCormack 83), Chris Forrester, Ronan Coughlan, Mattie Smith (McClelland 77), Billy King (Burns 60), Alfie Lewis, Paddy Barrett.
Finn Harps: Mark McGinley, Kosovar Sidiki (Bradley-Walsh), Barry McNamee (Logue 77), Mark Coyle, Shane McEleney, Adam Foley (Reddin 87), Conor Barry (McNamee, 67), Ryan Rainey, Ethan Boyle, Will Seymore ,Tunde Owolabi (Boyd, 67).