League of Ireland leaders Cork City moved 18 points clear of champions Dundalk at Oriel Park as former Lilywhite Seánie Maguire came back to haunt his old club once more.
With Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane watching on from the stands less than 24 hours after Ireland's insipid defeat to Mexico in the States last night, Maguire netted a stunning hat-trick in a man of the match display during City's 3-0 victory in Louth.
His first was a stunning team goal, with Maguire backheeling the ball to Stephen Dooley, who rolled it wide to Karl Sheppard. A tidy cross from the right was converted with aplomb by Maguire, who celebrated while facing the steely stares of the home fans who saw so little of him during his own spell at Oriel.
A rousing chorus of 'Seán Maguire, what a wanker, what a wanker' saw the RTÉ pitchside microphones turned down moments later, but Kilkenny man Maguire would soon reap vengeance on the scorned home fans.
His second was a stunning header after a wonderful cross from John Dunleavy - this on the back of a quick throw on City's right-hand side.
"There's nobody going to catch them this season, even if Seán Maguire leaves," said Brian Kerr on RTÉ's enjoyable big match coverage, mere moments before he completed his hat-trick.
It was a mistake from Dane Massey which put it on a platter for Maguire to finish the job in stoppage time.
Message sent, then, to an Ireland managerial team short on firepower up top.
And as for Cork City, it' probably the league. Second-placed Dundalk are now closer to relegation than they are the league leaders. City have amassed 49 points of a possible 51, with 16 wins in their opening 17 league games.
Maguire now has 16 league goals for the season, 19 in total.
