ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC's title was all but relinquished within 15 minutes of the match at Belfield yesterday. They gifted UCD a goal after five minutes and Jason Sherlock completed the damage with the most sublime of volleys 10 minutes later.

The result relieves much pressure on UCD and lifts them into the top six for the first time in three and a half months. Crucially, they are now a comfortable six points away from the play-off spot.

It all went horribly wrong from the opening whistle for St Patrick's, their first goal a disaster for goalkeeper Brian McKenna, a former UCD player. St Patrick's captain John McDonnell allowed a long ball over the top from UCD defender Aidan Lynch to run by him for McKenna to clear. However, under little or no pressure, he sliced his attempted clearance and Andy Myler ran in to score the easiest of goals.

There was scarcely little MeKenna could have done about UCD's second goal on IS minutes. Eamonn McLoughlin sent another long ball in behind the sluggish St Patrick's defence, and Myler headed on for Sherlock. He allowed the ball drop over his right shoulder before unleashing a venomous volley that flew into the top corner of the net from about 18 yards.

St Patrick's did recover to dominate the latter stages of the first half but were found desperately wanting in front of coal.

As the game wore on, St Patrick's pushed harder and harder to get back into it, playing with three strikers for the last 27 minutes.