Conan Byrne put in an electrifying performance in his final game for St. Patrick's Athletic, notching three assists as the home side trounced Derry City 5-0. It was the second time this season that Pats have hit five past Derry at Richmond Park and
Conan Byrne put in an electrifying performance in his final game for St. Patrick's Athletic, notching three assists as the home side trounced Derry City 5-0. It was the second time this season that Pats have hit five past Derry at Richmond Park and incoming manager Harry Kenny would have been impressed with what he saw. Byrne captained the home side in his final appearance for the club and it was he who had the best chance of the opening stages, heading over after just two minutes. An otherwise uneventful first half sprang into life in the 29th minute when Conor Clifford fired home from 25 yards. Nine minutes later, it was 2-0 when James Doona was released by Byrne's pinpoint through ball before rounding Eric Grimes in the Derry goal to double the lead. Pats' fun continued when Kevin Toner headed home from close range to send Ger O'Brien's side in 3-0 ahead at the break. The goal glut didn't end at the interval as Jake Keegan headed home Byrne's cross in the 55th minute to make it four. Three minutes later it was 5-0 after Byrne notched his third assist of the game, crossing for Doona to double his tally. Arguably the biggest cheer of the night came in the 77th minute when Byrne was replaced by Joe Manley. The captain embraced teammates before heading off the field to a rousing reception from an appreciative crowd. There would ultimately be no more goals after Pats' five-goal salvo either side of the half-time break with the final result being Pats 5-0 Derry. The result, coupled with Bohemians' draw with champions Dundalk, means that Pats finish the 2018 Premier Division in fith place. Derry, meanwhile, dropped to eighth thanks to Sligo Rovers' victory over Shamrock Rovers.
