St Patrick's Athletic returned to the top of the Premier Division table, albeit on goals scored, with a comprehensive dismissal of Bray Wanderers at Richmond Park last night.
Skipper Eddie Gormley and defender Packie Lynch both redeemed themselves after indiscretions in last week's defeat at Shamrock Rovers by scoring goals either side of a first strike of the season from the impressive Stephen McGuinness.
St Patrick's created chances at will against a Bray side whose performance was at odds with its form this season.
Having survived a clear opening when Colin Hawkins got on the end of Trevor Molloy's cross to shoot into the side-netting after eight minutes, Bray appeared to be settling down when Gormley stunned them with a goal from his repertoire of wonder strikes.
He feinted left before unleashing a left-foot drive from 20 yards that bounced in off the crossbar.
It signalled the onslaught and, , inevitably, another goal came on 31 minutes. Kane, just back on his feet after saving brilliantly from a Martin Russell shot, was beaten when McGuinness gleefully scored after Ian Gilzean laid off Croly's deep cross from the right.
It was much the same in the second half and the main question after the match was: how did St Patrick's increase their lead by only one goal?
Kane provided some answers with two excellent save from Molloy in succession before the third goal arrived on 77 minutes. Molloy swept in an inswinging corner from the left and Lynch got the slightest of touches to score.
Bray's night was summed up when their only decent shot, from substitute Richie Parsons, was magnificently turned over the crossbar by Trevor Wood.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Wood; McGuinness, Lynch, Hawkins; Croly, Gormley, Russell, Osam, Doyle; Molloy, Gilzean. Sub: Long for Gormley (73 mins).
BRAY WANDERERS: Kane; McKeever, Tresson, Lynch; Tierney, Dodd, Smyth, Gill, Connolly; Byrne, Ryan. Subs: O'Connor for Dodd (57 mins), Parsons for Gill (65 mins), Fox for Smyth (82 mins).
Referee: T Tully (Cork).
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