A first half penalty from Killian Brennan got St. Patrick's Athletic's season back up and running with a deserved 1-0 win over Limerick at Thomond Park last night.
St. Pat's, despite not having played in 15 days due to two of their games being postponed, started well and went in front, for what would prove the game's only goal, on 19 minutes.
Left-back Ian Bermingham's marauding run ended with him being upended inside the area and midfielder Brennan scored emphatically from the resultant spot kick.
A terrific shot from distance by John Russell almost doubled St. Pat's lead three minutes into the second half, but Limerick were relieved to see it come back off their crossbar.
Stephen Bradley blew what was perhaps Limerick's best chance of an equaliser on 66 minutes when he shot straight at Brendan Clarke following Shane Tracy's through ball.