Given the differences in their personality, Stephen Kenny is unlikely to use a cliche strongly associated with the mindset of his Ireland predecessor, Mick McCarthy.

But it’s safe to say the St Patrick’s Athletic boss would have bitten your hand off at the start of the season if offered the scenario his side now find themselves in after this stunning victory at his old stomping ground.

The Saints are top of the league on goal difference with five games of their season remaining.

Yes, the important caveat is that Shamrock Rovers have a game more to play, with their scheduled encounter with the other title contenders, Bohemians, pushed back until October.

Stephen Bradley’s side also appear to have an easier run-in on paper, but it will become harder if genuine pressure is applied by the teams looking to rip up what looked a predictable script.

When the Saints limped to a fifth-place finish last term, there were genuine questions asked about their resolution under Kenny.

In truth, they have faced some of those queries in difficult moments this year. But Inchicore victories over Rovers in both the FAI Cup and the league appear to have infused belief into the group and their response to the cup heartache at the hands of Bohs also suggests they have improved in bouncebackability.

Early in the campaign, they were second best to Dundalk here. Not this time.

Oriel Park ticks the tough place to go box, although this occasion lacked the usual intensity with the Monday night angle and badly timed rain in the hour before kick-off dampening the atmosphere.

But the Saints played a significant part in that too, scoring twice without reply in the first half to establish control.

The momentum should carry them to a doomed Sligo Rovers on Saturday feeling pretty good about life.

It was a former Bit O’Red player who was the match-winner here. Aidan Keena has been dogged by fitness issues throughout his spell in Dublin 8, yet when he’s on song, he’s a potent force.

The Mullingar native broke the deadlock when a fine quarterback impression from Jamie Lennon released Anthony Olusanya, who teed up the ball for Keena to finish on the run with pace and precision.

His second was boring by his standards, a poacher’s goal after a Joe Redmond effort from a corner was pushed into his path by Enda Minogue.

The sizeable away support didn’t have much to worry about thereafter. Dundalk have shown signs of fatigue after a blistering start to the campaign and five changes from the side that drew in Waterford highlighted an absence of depth and experience.

Ciarán Kilduff made a half-time double sub that didn’t really alter the pattern of play, with the Saints disciplined at the back and powered by energy in midfield, with teenager Ryan Sheridan capably filling the hole left by the strong-running style of Kian Leavy.

The 17-year-old made it a landmark evening by bagging his first League of Ireland goal, with a quick throw from the Saints allowing the youngster to make a well-timed run into the box that was matched by the conversion.

A fourth from sub Ryan Edmondson prompted a Dundalk exodus. But this Saints display suggests the league could yet be in for a grandstand finish.