Monaghan United 0 - St Patrick's Athletic 4hristy Fagan, Jake Kelly and Greg Bolger grabbed the goals as St Pat's earned a 4-0 win against Monaghan United in the Premier Division. The Saints dominated for long spells against United, but their finishing was poor before Fagan pounced in the 35th minute. After Fagan's intervention Pat's continued to carve out chances but Ger O'Brien, Greg Bolger, John Russell and Darren Meenan were unable to add to their advantage. In a hectic finale Kelly bagged a brace (83 and 87) and then Bolger sealed the deal in the final minute. These are encouraging times for Pat's and the Dubliners cruised to this emphatic win. With a victory as convincing as the scoreline suggests the Saints ended the tussle with a real flourish to garner three points. The opening quarter was a typical tale of St Patrick's passing the ball with style and a bit of substance too. Jake Carroll anchored the midfield as John Russell and Greg Bolger also contributed to the Saints encouraging start. Darren Meenan twice went close and then a splendid Christy Fagan flick made space for Bolger, who drilled a right footed effort over from the edge of the area. Monaghan were under duress, but little was wrong with their attitude and application as Willo McDonagh and Keith Quinn battled in the centre of the park. Liam Buckley's charges, though, should have taken a 22nd minute lead when Russell put Fagan clear, but the striker was thwarted by a Chris Bennion save. The Saints continued to dictate the pace of the contest and they netted a deserved lead goal in the 35th minute. Again Russell was involved crossing from the right for Fagan, who slammed the Dubliners ahead with a crisp finish. The Dubliners were bossing the game and Bennion had to be alert seconds later to save a Ger O'Brien effort. Bolger was then thwarted by Bennion on 43, while on the stroke of half-time Russell dragged a shot wide from an acute angle. After the restart Pat's were still creating openings as Meenan had a shot deflected away during a burst of pressure. Fagan then had a right footed attempt hooked off the line by Conor McMahon in the 56th minute as the Saints pushed for another goal. But Jake Kelly climbed off the bench to make a telling impact netting two splendid goals on 83 and 87 minutes. Then in the final minute Bolger added a fourth for the vibrant visitors, who got back to winning ways by virtue of this dynamic display. © rte.ie
