Glen Crowe and Jason Byrne's scintillating attacking display against St Patrick's Athletics on Tuesday lends weight to manager Pat Fenlon's argument that the pair are, contrary to what some believe, an effective and compatible force when playing together.
The international duo have yet to find the perfect symmetry side-by-side but both turned in eye-catching displays against their city rivals the other night. Byrne, once again, displayed his predatory instincts with two fine goals while Crowe capped an excellent all-round performance with a late strike.
"They were brilliant together," admits Fenlon. "Glen has been fantastic for us and I'm delighted that he's got the goal. Every time he plays, Jason seems to score but I'm just happy if one of them is popping in goals."
Crowe has not quite scaled the heights he would have hoped for following his high-profile move from Bohemians almost 18 months ago and has only forced his way back into the side following injury to the in-form Gary O'Neill.
Knee ligament trouble is likely to sideline O'Neill for six weeks and Crowe, relishing the chance to reclaim his position, seized that opportunity with a weekend goal against Lithuanian side FK Vetra and again at Tolka Park two night's ago.
"I'm delighted for Glen as he works very hard and gets himself into some great positions," Fenlon says. "Perhaps his finishing at times could be a little cooler but on Tuesday he probably scored the hardest chance he had all night.
"I believe he's very good technically and doesn't always get the credit he deserves. He brings players into the game, has a bit of pace about him and is also very good in the air. I spoke with him and he's not worried if he's not scoring, he just wants to be in the team and if we're winning he's happy enough."
St Patrick's manager John McDonnell was frustrated with his side's offering but conceded it is nigh on impossible to contain both Crowe and Byrne, especially when they are in such devastating form.
"They played some terrific stuff at times and their movement and awareness off the ball was just brilliant," says McDonnell who concedes his fifth-place side has lost some confidence in recent weeks.
Having made an enthusiastic start, the manager believes his players shot themselves in the foot by folding so spectacularly once Byrne broke the deadlock on the half hour.
"I've no qualms about getting beaten by a better team but you simply can not give away goals in the manner we did. I've come here with lesser teams in the past and got better performances and that's what I'm disappointed about most.
"It's not an excuse for the performance, but we had five or six fellas coming from work to play here against a full-time side. If you're going to go full-time, you have to go full-time. That's were we need to get to."
