ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC moved back into fifth place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with 4-0 win over Finn Harps at Richmond Park tonight.
The victory came courtesy of two goals from Mark Timlin, Conan Byrne and Billy Dennehy, who looked more assured in a central role.
The Saints made five changes from the side that drew with Longford on Friday night as they included Rory Feely, who was making his league debut in central defence in place of the suspended Darren Dennehy.
Graham Kelly and Byrne also returned to the starting line-up and both played a part in the Pat’s opener.
It came inside 10 minutes as a sweeping ball from Kelly found Dennehy down the right flank before his reverse pass played in Byrne.
He kept himself onside to square across the face of goal to find Timlin sliding in at the back post and he made no mistake to turn into the gaping goal from close range.
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Tony McNamee nearly levelled within moments as his curling effort from the edge of the area had Brendan Clarke sprawling across his goal to tip over for a corner.
Twenty minutes in, Pat’s had a chance to make it two as Kelly played a free-kick over the top to Jamie McGrath but as the ball fell over the striker’s left shoulder he couldn’t quite make the connection he desired and his snatched effort went wide of the post.
Harps continued to afford space to the Saints and three minutes before half-time they doubled their lead.
Byrne powered into the box from the right and past Ciaran Coll before Ciaran Gallagher failed to deal with his shot and could only watch as the ball trickled inside the far post.
Harps striker Dave Scully of Harps with Lee Desamond of Pat's. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Liam Buckley’s charges remained on the front foot after the interval with McGrath selflessly running the channels. He almost set-up Dennehy for a third but his shot from 20 yards was deflected wide.
Dennehy made no mistake halfway through the second period though, as he raced onto a Timlin through-ball and gave Gallagher no chance as he calmly slotted his left footed strike past the keeper.
The Donegal side nearly got a late consolation but Clarke got down well to make a double save from Sean Houston at the back post to ensure his goal was not breached on the night. Timlin then rounded off a comfortable night for Pat’s two minutes from time as he rolled in from six yards after he was found free in the box by substitute Keith Treacy.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Brendan Clarke; Ger O’Brien (c) Lee Desmond, Michael Barker, Rory Feely; Conan Byrne (Dylan McGlade, 65), Mark Timlin, Sam Verdon, Graham Kelly, Billy Dennehy (Keith Tracey, 76); Jamie McGrath.
FINN HARPS: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Ciaran Coll, Ethan Boyle, Packie Mailey (Ryan McConnell, 72); Tony McNamee (Kevin McHugh, 62), Sean Houston, Adam Hanlon, Barry Molloy; Dave Scully (Michael Funston, 72), Ryan Curran.
Referee: Ray Matthews
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Timlin on the double as four-star Saints too strong for Harps
St Patrick’s Athletic 4
Finn Harps 0
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC moved back into fifth place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with 4-0 win over Finn Harps at Richmond Park tonight.
The victory came courtesy of two goals from Mark Timlin, Conan Byrne and Billy Dennehy, who looked more assured in a central role.
The Saints made five changes from the side that drew with Longford on Friday night as they included Rory Feely, who was making his league debut in central defence in place of the suspended Darren Dennehy.
Graham Kelly and Byrne also returned to the starting line-up and both played a part in the Pat’s opener.
It came inside 10 minutes as a sweeping ball from Kelly found Dennehy down the right flank before his reverse pass played in Byrne.
He kept himself onside to square across the face of goal to find Timlin sliding in at the back post and he made no mistake to turn into the gaping goal from close range.
Tony McNamee nearly levelled within moments as his curling effort from the edge of the area had Brendan Clarke sprawling across his goal to tip over for a corner.
Twenty minutes in, Pat’s had a chance to make it two as Kelly played a free-kick over the top to Jamie McGrath but as the ball fell over the striker’s left shoulder he couldn’t quite make the connection he desired and his snatched effort went wide of the post.
Harps continued to afford space to the Saints and three minutes before half-time they doubled their lead.
Byrne powered into the box from the right and past Ciaran Coll before Ciaran Gallagher failed to deal with his shot and could only watch as the ball trickled inside the far post.
Liam Buckley’s charges remained on the front foot after the interval with McGrath selflessly running the channels. He almost set-up Dennehy for a third but his shot from 20 yards was deflected wide.
Dennehy made no mistake halfway through the second period though, as he raced onto a Timlin through-ball and gave Gallagher no chance as he calmly slotted his left footed strike past the keeper.
The Donegal side nearly got a late consolation but Clarke got down well to make a double save from Sean Houston at the back post to ensure his goal was not breached on the night. Timlin then rounded off a comfortable night for Pat’s two minutes from time as he rolled in from six yards after he was found free in the box by substitute Keith Treacy.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Brendan Clarke; Ger O’Brien (c) Lee Desmond, Michael Barker, Rory Feely; Conan Byrne (Dylan McGlade, 65), Mark Timlin, Sam Verdon, Graham Kelly, Billy Dennehy (Keith Tracey, 76); Jamie McGrath.
FINN HARPS: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Ciaran Coll, Ethan Boyle, Packie Mailey (Ryan McConnell, 72); Tony McNamee (Kevin McHugh, 62), Sean Houston, Adam Hanlon, Barry Molloy; Dave Scully (Michael Funston, 72), Ryan Curran.
Referee: Ray Matthews
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League of Ireland Liam Buckley LOI Richmond Park Finn Harps St. Patrick's Ath.