St Patrick's Athletic ran out 4-1 winners against a spirited 10-man Drogheda United following a dramatic first half in Inchicore.
Chris Forrester's first half penalty was cancelled out by Douglas James-Taylor's spot kick, which was quickly followed by a Jake Mulraney double and late Mason Melia strike securing the Saints' biggest win of the season.
The hosts, who arrived back on Irish soil on Thursday morning, showed no signs of tiredness and came flying out of the trap, and really should have been ahead within two minutes.
Having set Mulraney free down the left wing, Brandon Kavanagh continued his run into the box unmarked.
Man-of-the-match Mulraney then saw his cross spilled by Luke Dennison, with the ball falling kindly into the path of the attacking midfielder Kavanagh who thought he had scored, only for James Bolger to get back around and clear off the line with his chest.
United were looking to follow up their spectacular 7-0 win over Sligo Rovers, with Louth rivals Dundalk just a point behind prior to kick-off in the battle to beat the drop, and looked dangerous themselves in the final third.
Games between the two had been tight affairs, with two games finishing 0-0 and the now Cork City striker Ruairi Keating proving the difference back in May but the home fans, seeing their heroes in Richmond Park for the first time in four weeks, were treated to a first half flurry.
The visitors' task was made even more difficult when Luke Heeney, despite his best efforts to hide his guilt, handled off the line following some goal mouth pinball action.
Chris Forrester made no mistake netting his third of the season, all of which have been penalties, to send the home fans wild.
In a quite chaotic ending to the half, the game was stopped seven minutes before the break with Drogheda front man Douglas James-Taylor informing referee Rob Hennessy of a comment that seemed to come from the crowd.
Immediately after the restart, the 10-men hauled themselves level when Tom Grivosti brought down Frantz Pierrot. James-Tayor showed tremendous calm to smash his penalty past Joseph Anang.
But the dynamic duo of Zach Elbouzedi and Mulraney, who had been a constant threat throughout, combined to put their side back in front just seconds later. Former Irish under-21 International, Elbouzedi, flew down the right wing before squaring to Mulraney who forced home.
The flying wingers combined five minutes after the restart to give themselves a two goal cushion as Elbouzedi, who was giving Conor Kane a torrid time, whipped in another tantalising cross that was met by the head of Mulraney for his second of the game.
As you'd expect from a Kevin Doherty side, the heads didn't drop and looked threatening from set-pieces, with Aaron Harper Bailey - making his league debut - launching a barrage of long throws into the area.
But it was the Atheltic who saw out the game in eventual comfort and with just seconds remaining there was still time for the goal of the game from substitute Melia who picked up Forrester pass before cutting inside on his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable low drive to seal the deal in style and keep their faint European hopes for next season alive.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; Carl Axel Sjoberg (Ryan McLoughlin, 71’), Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti, Anto Breslin; Chris Forrester, Jamie Lennon; Jake Muraney (Alex Nolan, 75), Brandon Kavanagh (Jason McClelland, 71’), Zach Elbouzedi (Al-Amin Kazeem, 81); Aidan Keena (Mason Melia, 75’)
Subs not used: Danny Rogers, Aaron Bolger, Conor Keeley, Luke Turner
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; David Webster, James Bolger (Jack Keaney, 78’), Andrew Quinn (Adam Foley, 54’); Elicha Ahui (Aaron Harper Bailey, 62’), Luke Heeney, Darragh Markey (Warren Davis, 78’), Ryan Brennan, Conor Kane (Aaron McNally, 54’); Frantz Pierrot, Douglas James-Taylor
Subs not used: Andrew Wogan, Gary Deegan, Matthew O’Brien, Bridel Bosakani
Referee: Rob Hennessy
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