- Seán O'Connor
- Sat, Mar 05 2022
Sean O’Connor reports from Richmond Park.
Chris Forrester’s second half header proved to be the difference on Friday night, as St Patrick’s Athletic beat Shamrock Rovers for the first time in four years.
The two Dublin sides met again just three weeks after the President’s Cup final. The Hoops came out on top in the penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw.
The Saints made three changes following Monday’s 1-0 defeat away to Bohemians. Jamie Lennon and Paddy Barrett were ruled out injured, while Jason McClelland and Tunde Owolabi dropped to the bench. Billy King, Adam O’Reilly and Darragh Burns returned to the starting line-up.
Stephen Bradley was without the services of Chris McCann, Sean Kavanagh, and Neil Farrugia for the derby. Sean Gannon and Aaron Greene were replaced by captain Ronan Finn and Rory Gaffney.
The game burst into life right from kick-off. Rovers threatened early on before Mark Doyle had two early chances to put the hosts ahead. First, his shot skimmed wide of Alan Mannus’ post on five minutes. Then, Doyle headed just over after a delightful cross by the electric Darragh Burns.
Minutes later, Rovers responded. Danny Mandroiu’s fantastic chip found Gaffney, who’s close range effort was saved by Joeseph Anang. Anang, playing in front of the raucous away support, had a few anxious moments in the opening fifteen minutes as Rovers pressed high.
After returning from Cyprus, Jack Byrne will be hoping to force his way back into the Republic of Ireland squad this year. With manager Stephen Kenny watching from the stands, Byrne’s effort on 17 minutes was well-saved by Anang.
The West-Ham loanee was in action again two minutes later, saving Finn’s effort with his feet before the rebound was cleared to safety.
The visitors enjoyed a good spell for the next ten minutes. Byrne and Hoare sent dangerous crosses into the St Pat’s box, before Mandroiu’s effort skimmed the side-netting.
Dylan Watts’ shot from outside the box five minutes before the break, but his effort proved routine for Anang.
The Saints had a penalty appeal turned down on the stroke of half time. Burns’, who was enjoying a terrific evening, found Mark Doyle with a slick pass. Doyle went down inside the box after a challenge from Lee Grace, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Tim Clancy’s side began the second half brilliantly. Burns went on another mazy run down the right wing and cut inside before going down in the box. The referee waved away St Pat’s’ second penalty shout of the night.
The breakthrough came on 54 minutes. Everything Burns touched on Friday night seemed to turn to gold. His corner found Forrester who headed past Mannus in front of the away support.
The opener seemed to breathe life into the cup winners. They began to take the game to the Hoops and play on the front foot. Burns tried his luck on 65 minutes but saw his effort go wide.
With Graham Burke introduced, the Champions tried to find their way back into the game. Lyons’ low driving shot was parried wide by Anang before Finn tried his luck after a short corner routine.
Forrester almost put his side two ahead on 78 minutes. His 30-yard driving shot was spilled by Mannus, who then gathered on the line, much to the relief of the 1,100 travelling fans behind his back.
Despite a Rovers triple substitution and late pressure for an equaliser, the Saints held on. Anang produced a brilliant save in the final minutes, as substitute Ian Bermingham led the back four until the final whistle.
The win is St Pat's' first against Rovers since May 2018. They go joint with Rovers on six points after four games played.
The Saints head to Ballybofey next Friday to face struggling Finn Harps. It’s another Dublin derby for Rovers that night, as they host Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium.
St. Patrick's Athletic: Joseph Anang; Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti, Anto Breslin, Jack Scott; Adam O'Reilly, Billy King (Tunde Owolabi 73), Chris Forrester, Darragh Burns (Ian Bermingham 80); Mark Doyle, Eoin Doyle.
Subs not used: Josh Keeley, James Abankwah, Sam Curtis, Jason McClelland, Ben McCormack, Rónán Coughlan, Adam Murphy.
Booked: Darragh Burns (69), Mark Doyle (89).
Sent off: None.
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Andy Lyons (Barry Cotter 75), Pico, Sean Hoare, Lee Grace; Gary O'Neill, Daniel Mandroiu (Graham Burke 59), Ronan Finn (Sean Gannon 75), Jack Byrne, Dylan Watts (Aidomo Emakhu 88); Rory Gaffney (Aaron Greene 75).
Subs not used: Leon Pohls, Toms Leitis, Sean Jones-Carey, Richie Towell.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.
Referee: Rob Harvey
Attendance: 4,532
extratime.com Player of the Match: Darragh Burns (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
