League of Ireland Premier Division/St Patricks Athletic 3 Sligo Rovers 1:Sligo's erratic form ahead of this tie ensured they arrived in the capital as something of a mixed bag. But any side that thumps Cork City 4-1 has to be respected, as St Patrick's manager John McDonnell was all too aware. Yet their unpredictability was underlined last week with a weary defeat in Bray. No better test, then, than the league leaders to gauge their true measure.
But while their application was admirable throughout, Sligo never looked like salvaging anything once going behind to a St Patrick's side who deserved their win despite not playing at their swaggering best.
Sligo manager Paul Cook will, however, have been pleased with his side's start. Eager and inventive from the off, the visitors shaded possession in a tight and intriguing opening spell. Varying their attack impressively, they showed neither respect or fear for the league leaders, grilling their opponents when afforded the space.
Chris Turner was particularly impressive, not to mention aggressive. He rattled the home defence early on, harrying and hassling throughout and forcing the locals to play rushed balls forward.
St Patrick's, despite their hesitant start, soon gained a foothold. Through a combination of measured passing and intelligent running, they quickly developed direction. No longer back-pedalling, John McDonnell's side revelled in the space they had earlier been starved of. And they soon discovered both flanks particularly profitable.
Seán O'Connor and Mark Quigley were menacing in possession and tormented full backs Raffaele Cretaro and Seán Kelly with angled assaults and teasing crosses. Collectively, Sligo's back four was less than watertight yet they managed to keep St Patrick's at arm's length, restricting shots to the edge of the box.
But that all changed midway through the half. O'Connor's clumsy ball to Quigley was easily cut out by Conor O'Grady but the Sligo midfielder in turn sold goalkeeper Tomislav Arcaba short with the back pass. Striker Gary O'Neill reacted quickly and, having assumed control, shimmied past the goalkeeper before firing home.
Sligo's second-half performance, in defence at least, was sloppy at best, allowing St Patrick's double and then triple their advantage courtesy of two unmarked headers. First, with an hour played, Quigley nonchalantly tucked Anto Murphy's cross past Arcaba while, 11 minutes later, O'Connor did likewise from O'Neill's ball.
Still, Sligo's spirit was unbreakable as Turner bundled over the line with 15 minutes remaining. Scant consolation though considering their gallant display, but a performance ultimately overshadowed by an assured St Patrick's side who, in the process, moved eight points clear at the top.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; C Foley, Brennan, Maguire; Murphy, Fahey, Mulcahy, Kirby, O'Connor; Quigley, O'Neill. Subs: Frost for Kirby (56), M Foley for O'Connor (81). Booked: Mulcahy (44).
SLIGO ROVERS: Arcaba; Cretaro, McKenzie, Vasas, Kelly; Curran, Hughes, O'Grady, Turner; Kudozovic, Judge. Subs: Hanson for Curran (55), Hutchinson for Vasas (73), Tierney for Judge (87). Booked: Cretaro (32), Hughes (49), McKenzie (79).
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
