League Report: Shamrock Rovers 2 - 2 St Patrick's Athletic

Photo Gallery by Thomas Flinkow

Champions Shamrock Rovers failed to make ground on Shelbourne as they were held to a draw at a packed Tallaght Stadium. Goals in each half from Aaron Greene and Daniel Cleary had them in front, only to be pegged back.

It was a deserved point for the away side for their enterprising approach, with Mason Melia again showing his class with a smart finish after an earlier goal from Luke Turner.

Both managers elected to make changes after three games in a week. Stephen Bradley welcomed back Neil Farrugia ahead of Trevor Clarke in the one change from the home loss to Waterford. T

he interim management team had Joe Redmond back from his ankle injury, while Mason Melia and Aaron Bolger also came in, with Kieran Freeman, Jake Mulraney, and Conor Keeley making way.

It was a bright start for Pats whose fans had travelled in numbers. Two minutes in, Chris Forrester set Anthony Breslin free down the left flank, and his deep cross just evaded Ruairi Keating.

The home side found themselves in front moments later though. It was a disaster for Brandon Kavanagh as his back pass was too short. Aaron Greene seized upon it to slot past Daniel Rogers.

Despite being behind, Pats stuck with their attacking set-up. Kavanagh tried to make up for his error by setting up a chance for Breslin, who was only able to put it over the bar. Rogers was kept busy at the other end, saving a chance from Jonny Kenny before a double block from Greene and the follow-up from Neil Farrugia.

The away side showed their danger from set pieces and drew level after 22 minutes. Kavanagh curled in a free kick. They had overloaded the back post and Luke Turner had the simple task of heading home.

Rogers denied Kenny yet again before Turner almost added to his tally, but his header went just over.

The Saints' netminder was at it again at the start of the second half, denying both Farrugia and Greene as they sought to regain the lead.

Roberto Lopes was fortunate to escape a second booking for a series of stiff challenges on Mason Melia, to the frustration of Sean O'Connor.

He was further annoyed as Rovers regained the lead. Again, the defending wall did not do its job, and Daniel Cleary was able to head home.

Melia showed his resilience though and deservedly levelled up again. A long ball over the top from Jamie Lennon found the young attacker, and he beat Lopes for pace before lobbing Pohls.

Both teams went for it, trying to land the decisive goal. Jack Byrne almost found the magic touch to find Darragh Burns sneaking in at the back post. Rogers again came to the rescue. Pohls also saved well from a drive from Kian Leavy.

Pats were aggrieved when Keeley found the net from the resulting corner. It was ruled out for a foul on the keeper but it looked soft.

Honours even so at the end. Neither side was able to move up the table but no ground was lost either. Rovers travel to struggling Dundalk on Friday at 7.45pm. Pats have another big game as they take on Derry City.

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Maurice Pohls; Josh Honohan, Roberto Lopes, Neil Farrugia, Sean Kavanagh (Darragh Burns 60), Conan Noonan (Jack Byrne 60), Darragh Nugent, Markus Poom (Trevor Clarke 89), Aaron Greene; Jonny Kenny (Graham Burke 78)
Subs not used: Toms Leitis, Lee Stacey, Cory O’ Sullivan, John Barrett, John O’ Sullivan
Booked: Roberto Lopes (41).
Sent off: None.

St Patricks Athletic: Daniel Rogers; Anthony Breslin, Conor Keeley, Joe Redmond, Luke Turner, Aaron Bolger, Christopher Forrester, Brandon Kavanagh (Kian Leavy 71), Jamie Lennon, Kian Leavy, Ruairi Keating (Jake Mulraney 60), Mason Melia (Alex Nolan 89)
Subs not used: Marcelo Pitaluga, Kieran Freeman, Arran Pettifer, Jason McClelland, Romal Palmer, Cian Kavanagh.
Booked: Ruairi Keating (45).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 7073
extratime.com Player of the Match: Aaron Greene.