Updated at 23.20
St Patrick’s Athletic 4
Finn Harps 1
Ronan Macnamara reports from Richmond Park
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC made it three wins on the spin after Ronan Coughlan’s brace and goals from Robbie Benson and Alfie Lewis saw Pats ease to a 4-1 win over Finn Harps in front of a carnival atmosphere at Richmond Park.
The result moves the Saints level with Shamrock Rovers at the summit of the Premier Division.
John Mountney had the best chance of the half on two minutes, glancing Lewis’s inswinging free-kick wide from close range.
Harps were stubborn throughout the half and went close through a couple of long-range attempts including Ethan Boyle, who saw a 25-yard volley parried away by Pats stopper Vitezslav Jaros.
The visitors had a massive penalty appeal turned down after Lee Desmond made a hash of dealing with a flick on, allowing Tunde Owalabi to race in and he appeared to be hauled down by Jaros but referee Rob Harvey gave a corner.
Lewis dazzled throughout, and he fed Coughlan in the area who produced a great turn to make space in the crowded box for a left-footed strike that flashed by Mark McGinley clipping the bar on its way in after 37 minutes.
Pat’s controlled the second period and Benson doubled their advantage after he was found by Coughlan, he turned and beat McGinley with ease just after the hour mark.
Coughlan tapped home moments later for his second after Darragh Burns found him with an inch-perfect ball from the end line.
Adam Foley gave Harps a lifeline with his eighth goal of the season, beating Ian Bermingham for pace and slotting past the onrushing Jaros with 17 to play.
The Saints made it four when Lewis raced onto Chris Forrester’s defence-splitting pass, chipping McGinley to cap off an outstanding individual performance.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Vitezslav Jaros, John Mountney, Ian Bermingham, Lee Desmond, Robbie Benson (McCormack 83), Chris Forrester, Ronan Coughlan, Mattie Smith (McClelland 77), Billy King (Burns 60), Alfie Lewis, Paddy Barrett.
Finn Harps: Mark McGinley, Kosovar Sidiki (Bradley-Walsh), Barry McNamee (Logue 77), Mark Coyle, Shane McEleney, Adam Foley (Reddin 87), Conor Barry (McNamee, 67), Ryan Rainey, Ethan Boyle, Will Seymore ,Tunde Owolabi (Boyd, 67).
He must really not like his brother.
Think it’s just good retirement planning by the parents. He signs his brother to take over the carers role.
A head scratcher if ever there was one.
Hate to slate a loyal servant but, it makes sense he allowed John afoa to go to Gloucester then.
Does make you wonder!
Not at all, that was a done deal long ago and Gloucester on sacked their present director last week.
NO ONE saw this coming, a real shocker!
Wow, I did not see that one coming! He was Mr Ulster, and I wouldn’t imagine he was anywhere near completing his objectives he had outlined with Ulster. Still, we should be able to attract a top class director. Conor O’Shea?
Big of a shock especially after the transformation that has happened up in Ulster the last few years…maybe he felt he couldn’t take them on any further?
Head coach
Mark Mc Call?
Not so strange. Frustration at the lack of success. By moving to Gloucester is he saying this is as far as I can take Ulster at this time? Is he saying that the powers that be do not share his ambition? What does Gloucester offer that he cannot achieve with Ulster? Shane Logan’s comments are curious, particularly regarding development as Ulster has a single representative in U20 in the junior world cup and a senior squad that can beat the best in Europe but has no trophies. Has the wrong man left Ulster?
That’s a strange one didn’t see that coming,are you any relation to charlize theron?
Hope it’s not a sign of things to come with the new financial clout of the premiership & top14 deals. I had worried about losing players but managers & directors are just as important.
Is it because there are simply too many too comfortable in their roles at Ulster paying lip service to sharing the vision or is it because he has read which way the financial wind is blowing?
Sad day for Ulster Rugby. Brilliant player, captain and leader. He spotted and attracted the best players and brought them to Belfast.
After 91 years you just can’t write off Ravenhill and its rugby history despite new stadium name. More to this story.
But can they afford to let ambition walk out the door?
If David was the director of rugby what was the title for Mark Anscombe ?
Coach
It was probably in the works for a while, but just officially announced today, in case it was a distraction during the tail end of the season. Real surprise though