St Patrick's Athletic showed championship-winning form when easily brushing aside the challenge of an ineffective Bray Wanderers side at the Carlisle Grounds last night.
Two goals each from strikers, Ian Gilzean and Trevor Molloy, stamped St Patrick's' authority on the game and elevated them again to top of the Premier Division table on goal difference.
Gilzean was on target after just six minutes when, totally unmarked, he rose above the Bray defence to head home an Eddie Gormley corner from the right.
But Bray were level just two minutes later through a superb dipping shot from Barry O'Connor after Dom Tierney and Jason Byrne had created the opening.
St Patrick's were ahead again in 24 minutes. Molloy cleverly flipped the ball over his shoulder to allow Keith Doyle to send in a perfect cross for Gilzean to again head home from close range.
Only the brilliance of goalkeeper Trevor Wood prevented Bray getting back on level terms when he went full length to push a 20-yard effort from Tierney over the bar.
Jason Byrne, called up for the European Under-21 qualifier against Yugoslavia on Wednesday, showed his potential with a header just over the top after a long ball from full back Tommy Gill.
But St Patrick's took control late on. A Trevor Croly throw in allowed Russell to squeeze the ball through for Molloy to shoot to the corner of the net in the 75th minute.
And the little striker grabbed his eighth goal of the season nine minutes later, this time shooting into the roof of the net from 10 yards after Bray failed to clear another Gilzean header.
It was a polished performance by the champions, even though they were without injured central defender Colm Hawkins and had Stephen McGuinness taken off injured late in the first half.
Bray Wanderers: Walsh; Tresson, McKeever, J Lynch, Gill; Tierney, Smyth, O'Connor, Connolly; Ryan, Byrne. Subs: Horan, Fox and Parsons for McKeever, Tierney and Byrne (79 mins).
St Patrick's Athletics: Wood; McGuinness, P Lynch, Moody; Croly, Gormley, Osam, Russell, Doyle; Gilzean, Molloy. Subs: Burke for McGuinness (44 mins); Morgan for Gormley (75 mins).
Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).
Shelbourne have failed in their efforts to have the Premier Division match against Cork City, which Cork won, replayed. The FAI National League protest committee decided by a majority decision to dismiss the appeal.
Newry Town hope to make history by playing in Europe next season. Just how viable the prospect is should become a lot clearer this afternoon, when the ambitious border club take on Irish League Premier Division leaders Glentoran at The Oval.
Newry, playing at this level for the first time, have climbed impressively into third place and could do their hopes a power of good with a win at The Oval.
Joint manager Harry Fay reckons it is not beyond them. "We are an experienced and solid side and taking on the leaders will not worry us," he said.
Newry also have the top scoring forward in the League, striker Dessie Gorman who lives in Dundalk.
This afternoon marks the 100th match Linfield will play under the management of David Jeffrey. His second-placed Blues intend to make it an occasion for celebration with a win over Coleraine at the Showgrounds.
