League Report: Shelbourne 0 – 0 Shamrock Rovers

In a battle between the league leaders and current league defenders, Shelbourne welcomed Shamrock Rovers to Tolka Park for what was a hard fought and dirty Dublin derby tonight that finished goalless after 90 minutes in Dublin 9. 

A total of nine yellow cards were shown by referee Rob Hennessy tonight, with six for Shelbourne, including two and a subsequent red for substitute Shane Farrell who only played 12 minutes before being booked twice for two reckless challenges.

A quick start for Rovers posed as an early warning sign for Shelbourne as a floating ball in from Daragh Burns that connected with the head of Hoops defender Pico Lopes, crashed off the crossbar to the home side’s relief that definitely had the beating of goalkeeper Kearns.

Follwoing back-to-back defeats, and without a win in four consecutive games, tonight’s clash was billed as an opportunity for Damian Duff to attain winning ways in the league and re-boot their title chase.

In spite of the Hoops exerting significant pressure in the opening few minutes, it was the home fans that spent majority of the first half on their feet. An overwhelming press on the visiting backline forced defensive blunders out of Shamrock Rovers, that allowed Shelbourne to dominate the opening 45 minutes.

Both sides generated a wealth of scoring opportunities in the first half, tirelessly probing the opposing defences, failing to capitalise in the final third, crumbling to the hostile atmosphere Tolka Park provides. 

Despite a headed effort from Paddy Barret and a delicate strike from Will Jarvis that creeped towards the bottom right-hand corner only to be clawed away by Leon Pohls, the first half came to a close as a goalless draw.

Shelbourne, somewhat dominated the second half in the same vein as the first, continuously testing Pohls with the closest sniff at goal coming from two-time league winner with Dundalk, Paddy Barret who was denied by the 26-year-old goalkeeper early in the second half.

Despite scoring in last week’s victory over Derry City, a lethargic Richie Towell proved insignificant in tonight’s encounter upfront, as Bradley introduced Rory Gaffney and Aaron Greene who featured on the score sheet twice last week to exert some energy in a lack lustre Shamrock Rovers around the 63^rd minute mark.

Shelbourne substitute Shane Farell managed to salvage a dozen minutes on the field for his side this evening after two reckless challenges were accompanied by two consecutive yellow cards resulting in a red card for Shels and 10 men on the pitch for the remainder of the game.

Abusing his pace down the wing was Sean Gannon whose efforts ultimately amounted to nothing, bringing the best out of Pohls tonight who made a total of five excellent saves throughout the 90 minutes.

Gasps echoed around Tolka as late efforts from Daragh Burns in an attempt to steal all three points was denied by a deflection off of centre half Kameron Ledwidge as the ball rocketed passed the left post.

The final whistle blew, signalling a point for either side as the Reds remain at the top of the table. A result that marks five consecutive winless games for Damian Duff as Rovers share spoils away from home.

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Sean Gannon; Tyreke Wilson (Evan Caffrey 64); Kameron Ledwidge; Johnathon Lunney; John Martin (Shane Farrell 64); Mattew Smith (Sean Boyd 74); John O’Sullivan; Gavin Molloy; Patrick Barret; Will Jarvis(Dean Williams 90+2)

Subs not used: Lorcan Healy; Jad Hakiki; M Isong; lewis Temple; Keith Ward;

Booked: Damian Duff (14), Paddy Barret (34), John Martin (54), Shane Farrell (67 & 76), Sean Boyd 80)

Sent off: Shane Farrell (76)

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Josh Honohan; Rico Lopez; Daniel Cleary; Dylan Watts; Darragh Nugent; Richi Towell (Aaron Greene 64) ; Trevor Clarke (Sean Kavanagh 72); Daragh Burns; Johnny Kenny (Rory Gaffney 63); Conan Noonan

Subs not used: Lee Steacy; Leitis Toms; Cian Barrett; Cory O’Sullivan; John O’Sullivan

Booked: Daniel Cleary (34), Josh Honohan (80), Conan Noonan (84)

Attendance: 4,628

extratime.com Player of the Match: Leon Pohls (Shamrock Rovers)

Athlone Town's Madie Gibson: ' I would say there is no pressure on us because we as a team are overlooked in the league' - https://t.co/94rjArr8tjhttps://t.co/qmWgaASzWB

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 22, 2024