Former Sligo Rovers star Owen Elding gave Hibernian the perfect start in their 3-0 William Hill Premiership win over Kilmarnock and proved instrumental in the second goal, as the 20-year-old endeared himself to the Easter Road faithful.
Hibs struck twice in the opening 12 minutes through Elding and Felix Passlack before substitute Ante Suto notched in stoppage time.
For the opener, Republic of Ireland international Jamie McGrath rolled the kick-off back to goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, who launched a long kick upfield. Robbie Deas headed clear but only as far as McGrath, who found Passlack.
The German drove in from the right and slipped a pass into the box for Elding, who took a touch before slotting home a low finish from six yards for his third goal since joining Hibs in January.
Elding was the architect in the Edinburgh side doubling their lead in the 12th minute as his magnificent pass split the Killie defence and sent Jordan Obita clear down the left.
The Uganda international drew Kelle Roos and squared the ball across the edge of the six-yard box for Passlack, who tapped into the empty net.
Hibs threatened a third in the 22nd minute when Obita’s cross from the left was helped into the danger area by Elding, but Aaron Tshibola scrambled it away and into the arms of Roos.
Kilmarnock started to grow into the game as the half wore on and thought they had levelled in the 25th minute when new Scotland cap Findlay Curtis fired home from 10 yards, but it was ruled out following a VAR check as Lyons was offside in the build-up.
The visitors made a bright start to the second period but apart from a Greg Kiltie shot from the edge of the box that was beaten away by Sallinger, they rarely looked like hitting back before Suto knocked in a cross from fellow substitute Boyle in the dying seconds.
It was also an afternoon to remember for another former League of Ireland prodigy in the shape of Mason Melia.
The former St Patrick's Athletic forward scored on his debut for Tottenham Hotspur's Under-21 side in their 3-2 win over London rivals West Ham in the Premier League 2 London derby between the sides at Hotspur Way Training Centre.
