It was a case of Groundhog Day at Richmond Park yesterday as St Patrick's Athletic recorded a comprehensive victory over local rivals Crumlin United for the second year running thanks to goals from Jake Carroll and Jake Kelly, as well as an own goal by Derek Griffin.

The Leinster Senior League champions played Ger Rowe in front of their back-four in an effort to stifle Pat's early on, but their best laid plans went to waste after just three minutes when Griffin inadvertently sliced the ball into his own net following a Darren Meenan cross.

Nine minutes later Carroll coolly slotted his shot past United goalkeeper David Meehan following more good work by Meenan.

Crumlin rallied, and Daniel Loughran forced Brendan Clarke into a save on 17 minutes after Conor Kenna (whose brother Ciaran was lining out for Crumlin) had misplaced a pass in defence.

The Saints' third goal arrived with three minutes remaining, when 75th-minute replacement Jake Kelly stroked a low shot into the far corner.

© Irish Independent