ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC will go into next weekend’s FAI Cup final against Derry City on a high after beating Sligo Rovers 4-1 at The Showgrounds this evening. The result means that the Saints will finish in third, while Rovers finish in fifth, following Limerick’s loss to Shamrock Rovers.

The Saints took the lead in the first half through Conan Byrne, before a comical Richard Brush own goal made it 2-0. Gary Armstrong pulled one back for Rovers, but Christy Fagan then got his name on the scoresheet to make it 3-1. Byrne then put the final nail in the coffin in the 93rd minute to make it 4-1.

Liam Buckley’s side showed no signs that next week’s cup final was on their minds, as they had the brunt of the possession in the first-half. Sligo Rovers were living dangerously in the early stages, and had Evan McMillan to thank when he got his body in the way of a Killian Brennan shot.

Sean Hoare was next to test the Rovers defence, but his effort was cleared off the line by Danny Ledwith.

The visitors finally took the lead just after the half hour mark. An Ian Bermingham corner was headed on by Conan Byrne, beating Richard Brush with his 17^th league goal of the season.

The Saints then found themselves 2-0 up thanks to a rather comical own goal from Brush on the 49^th minute. Conan Byrne’s effort from the right was saved by Brush, Ledwith went to clear but kicked it against the ‘keeper and watched on as it hit the back of the net.

Just seconds later Sligo Rovers pulled one back.  Youngster Gary Armstrong found himself in acres of space on the edge of the box and his excellent effort was sent flying past Clarke to make it 2-1.

The Inchicore side made sure of all three points when they made it 3-1 in the 75^th minute. Conan Byrne was in the thick of the action once again when he crossed from the right with Christy Fagan on hand to tap it in past Brush.

The impressive Conan Byrne then got his second on the night, making it 4-1, in the 93rd minute in what was a comprehensive win for the Saints.

SLIGO ROVERS: Brush, O’Conor, Spillane, McMillan, Ledwith, Conneely, Cawley, Armstrong (McManus, 85), Keating (Boylan, 61), Zayed (Donelon, 80), North.

Subs: Rogers, Taheny. 

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Clarke, O’Brien, Browne, Bermingham, Hoare, Byrne, Fahey (McCormack, 65), Brennan, Forrester (Fitzgerald, 55), Bolger, Fagan.

Subs: Foran, Oman, Chambers, Durrad, Jennings.

Referee: Ben Connolly

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