UCD had no answer to the craft and creativity of St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park as Jon Daly’s side threw down their title credentials with this overwhelming victory.
Their fifth home win from five under Daly moves St Pat’s into second place in the table above Derry City.
And to within four points of champions Shamrock Rovers following their defeat in Dundalk.
With a strong breeze at their backs, St Patrick’s enjoyed plenty of possession from the off and took the lead on 13 minutes.
Mark Doyle linked well with Ben McCormack to thread a ball for the run of Jake Mulraney who was upended by Jesse Dempsey.
Skipper Chris Forrester confidently sent Kian Moore the wrong way from the penalty for his 11th goal of the season.
Mulraney, Doyle, twice, and McCormack all worked Moore before the College keeper was helpless to prevent St Pat’s adding a deserved second goal right on 45 minutes; Mulraney’s low cross turned into his own net by the hapless Michael Gallagher.
The game was put to bed within two minutes of the second half when St Patrick’s stretched the lead further, Mulraney again providing the assist, his in-swinging corner headed home by Sam Curtis.
Moore made a brave save at the feet of Doyle before being beaten again on 65 minutes. Substitute Tommy Lonergan raced onto Forrester’s pass to drill to the net for his first goal for the club.
Also just on the pitch, Jay McClelland tapped home with his first touch to make it 5-0 from Lonergan’s low cross.
Two minutes later another sub, Mason Melia, stabbed home following a Curtis cross to, at 15 years of age, become the club’s youngest ever league goalscorer.
Lonergan headed in McCormack’s 75th minute free kick for his second goal of the night to complete the rout.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Lyness; Curtis, Lewis, McGrath, Breslin; Lennon (Timmermans, 60); Mulraney (Lonergan, 60), Forrester (Bartley, 73), McCormack, M. Doyle (Melia, 60); Carty (McClelland, 68).
UCD: Moore; Babb, Keaney, Osam, Dempsey (Bowden, 78); Barr (O’Regan, h-t), Gallagher (O’Brien, 56); Clarke, Kinsella-Bishop (Alonge, 56), Nolan; Doyle.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
