Escaping from the wrong end of the league table has been proving something of a headache for St Patrick's Athletic, but they're getting there. Last night at Richmond Park, they swallowed whole a Kilkenny City side with even greater woes than their own to extend their unbeaten run to four.
With Kilkenny about as organised as a disturbed beehive, the points were always there for the taking. A first half of one direction only promised much for St Patrick's, but they had to wait 38 minutes until Colm Foley made it count, heading into the net from the far post.
Things didn't change much in the second half. Liam Kelly picked up his fourth goal of the season when he got on the end of a long ball just three minutes after the restart. And right on the hour, Robert Griffin made it three by converting the penalty after Michael Kerley's reckless pull on Ger McCarthy.
Kilkenny never lost heart but they were lucky to get away without a greater hiding.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Kelly; Croly, Foley, Maguire, Doyle; Byrne, McGuinness, Griffin, Doyle; Kelly, McCarthy. Subs: Harris for Kelly, Drew for Doyle (both 84 mins), Russell for McGuinness (90 mins).
KILKENNY CITY: Nelson; O'Hanlon, Brunton, Kerley, Riordan; Mullen, Mulcahy, Brennan, Riddell; Burke, Parkes. Subs: McGrath for Riddell (50 mins).
Referee: John Stacey (Athlone).
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