St Patrick's Athletic (4)

St Patrick's Athletic 4 - Cork City 0

Mason Melia took 18 minutes to toast his 18th birthday with the first of a brace as St Patrick's Athletic eased to their biggest win of the season.

Bound for Tottenham Hotspur in January following an initial deal worth an estimated €2 million, Melia, on the day he came of age, made it 14 goals in total for the season on a night he might have had a hat-trick.

Victory stretched St Pat's unbeaten league run to eight games in this one-sided FAI Cup semi-final rehearsal.

It moves Stephen Kenny's side up to fourth place in the table as they maintain their quest for European qualification on two fronts.

Despite bringing their best form of the season - one defeat in seven games - to Inchicore, Cork City were way off their recent levels.

Gerard Nash's side remain eight points adrift at the foot of the table meaning defeat at Galway United on Friday could see them relegated next weekend if results elsewhere go against them.

With winger Jordon Garrick in for his first league start in three changes from their 1-1 draw with Galway United on Friday night, St Pat's started on the front foot.

Described by manager Kenny as Maradona-esque following his display on Friday, Kian Leavy showed clever feet once again to cut inside and shoot wide to signal Saints' intent inside the first minute.

With Cork struggling to defend set pieces, Saints almost doubled their lead on 13 minutes.

Again the marking was poor from another Power corner to give Tom Grivosti a free header.

Goalkeeper Conor Brann parried the initial effort before gathering after captain Seani Maguire stopped the ball on the line.

The influential Power then provided his second assist five minutes later when outfoxing Bernardo Couto to cross for teen sensation Melia to head home at the far post.

Brann saved from a Barry Baggley free kick before City were again unable to defend a Power corner, though relieved on this occasion to see Redmond's header fly off target.

Saints remained well on top into the second half with Melia twice blazing over before getting his second goal on 55 minutes.

Cork gave the ball away cheaply to allow Jamie Lennon thread it through for Melia who skipped away to score with a composed finish under Brann.

Leavy added the gloss on 63 minutes, skilfully switching the ball from his left to right foot before drilling confidently to the net.

© rte.ie

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St Patrick's Athletic 4 - Cork City 0

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