League of Ireland review:St Patrick's Athletic delivered a startling wake-up call to Shamrock Rovers and the rest of the Airtricity Premier Division this evening, when they hammered the champions 5-1 at Richmond Park.
The result was thoroughly deserved as Pat’s took control from the off with the first of two goals from Chris Forrester – a remarkable long range goal after Killian Brennan had almost invited the right sided midfielder inside onto his left foot, which he may have assumed was slightly less lethal.
The 19-year-old’s deflected shot set up the second for John Russell and Forrester made it three before the break when he chipped Swedish goalkeeper Oskar Jansson from the edge of the area.
Ken Oman pulled one back for the visitors from a Billy Dennehy corner, but there was to be no fightback after the restart.
Instead, Pat’s powered on, always looking more likely to get the game’s fifth goal, and they did, courtesy of Christy Fagan, who rounded Jansson and side-footed home after Russell won possession and sent him clear from inside the centre circle.
As the local fans gleefully taunted their rivals, Fagan got the fifth with a header from a yard or so out after the Rovers defence had disintegrated and a looping cross by Jake Kelly left Jansson hopelessly stranded.
The result left Rovers three adrift of Sligo Rovers, who won 2-1 at Bray Wandererswith goals from Raffaele Cretaro and Danny North, while Drogheda Unitedhave drawn level with Rovers thanks to Declan O'Brien's goal away to Monaghan United.
Bohemians'first goal of the season brought their first win and came courtesy of Dinny Corcoran against Cork Cityat Dalymount Park.
Dundalkwere held scoreless at home to Shelbourne, as were Derry Cityby UCD.
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