Shelbourne 3 St Patrick's Ath 0: After Saturday's European win and ahead of this week's trip to Denmark, manager Pat Fenlon had stressed the importance of maintaining a head of steam on the domestic front. His Shelbourne players, so determined to win back the league title they relinquished to Cork last season, answered his call in emphatic fashion.

Initially, this proved as tenacious a derby you could have wished for. St Patrick's, a rejuvenated side this campaign, displayed the battling qualities that have typified their season. However, once Shelbourne established a foothold, the visitors' appetite waned somewhat.

Shelbourne were comfortable shifting through the gears when required. Although the visitors were keen to probe, their surges forward were dealt with capably. Shelbourne found their opponents' rearguard somewhat more porous.

With Bobby Ryan, Joseph Ndo and, to a lesser extent, Glen Crowe linking well Shelbourne always threatened to score and, in the 32nd minute, did just that.

Ryan flicked on for Jason Byrne and the striker beat the offside trap before looping a ball over the onrushing Barry Ryan. Then, on half-time, Crowe dispossessed Stephen Brennan, fed Byrne who raced into the box to double his side's advantage.

St Patrick's could then have nipped one back midway through the second half but Sean O'Connor's audacious bicycle kick was scrambled to safety.

To compound their misery Crowe stooped low to head home Ollie Cahill's first-time cross with 15 minutes remaining.

SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Dillon, Rogers; Ryan, Ndo, Reynolds, Cahill; J Byrne, Crowe. Subs: O'Halloran for Reynolds (49 mins), Baker for Ryan (75 mins), Harris for J Byrne (84 mins).

ST PATRICK'S: Ryan; Brennan, Foley, Maguire, Frost; Murphy, Mulcahy, Foley, Rutherford; Keegan, Molloy. Subs: O'Connor for Foley (half-time), Reilly for Murphy (70 mins), Caffrey for Foley (76 mins).

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).