Hoops too strong for Saints

Shamrock Rovers 2 St. Patrick's Athletic 0

Goals early and late from Chris Turner and Ken Oman topped and tailed a third successive win for champions Shamrock Rovers before a crowd of 5,913 at Tallaght Stadium to put them two points clear at the top of the table.

Midfielder Turner sent Hoops on their way with the lead goal after 11 minutes when firing past Gary Rogers from 25 yards out.

Rogers kept Saints in the game with a penalty save from Gary McCabe right on half time after Evan McMillan had fouled Gary O'Neill.

Dave Mulcahy, who headed wide, and Ian Daly, who forced Alan Mannus in to a good save, had Saints' best chances in the second half before Rovers sealed the win on 82 minutes.

Billy Dennehy put over a corner and big central defender Oman headed past Rogers.