Setanta Cup: Two goals of real quality moved St Patrick's Athletic four points clear in Setanta Cup Group Two after a 3-1 win over Cork City.
Cork may have enjoyed the lion's share of possession at Turner's Cross but were unable to make the most of the chances they created and paid the price as the visitors displayed real class in front of goal.
Gary O'Neill opened the soring on the half hour mark, somewhat against the run of play, as he pounced on a loose ball and smashed a first time strike past Michael Devine from 25 yards.
Assured in defence, St Pat's were making the most of their rare forays into the final third and Alan Kirby put the visitors in the driving seat five minutes after the break with a stunning angled lob that gave Devine no chance in the Cork goal.
Cork gave themselves hope of salvaging a draw when John O'Flynn struck from close range five minutes from time but a last minute penalty from O'Neill, after Joseph Ndo was brought down by Joe Gamble, sealed the points.
The Inchicore side travel to Dungannon next week where victory would put them firmly in control of the group. In tonight's other match, Drogheda got their first point of the campaign with a 0-0 draw with Derry City at the Brandywell.
