MATCH REPORT: St. Patrick's Athletic 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
A second-half inspired performance saw Shamrock Rovers win their second Dublin Derby in just 4 days, defeating St. Patrick's Athletic this evening by two goals to one.
Tim Clancy made just one change to his side for tonight's game from the one that disappointingly drew 2-2 with Finn Harps on Friday night - with the sole change being Jack Scott replacing the injured Sam Curtis at right-full back.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side, Stephen Bradley made two changes to his side that defeated Bohemians 1-0 in Tallaght Stadium on Friday night. Sean Gannon & Chris McCann came into the side in place of Sean Kavanagh & Danny Mandroiu - with Mandroiu missing out on the matchday squad completely tonight.
In an tense and cagey affair, it was the home side who came closest early on to open the scoring. A smart through ball by Chris Forrester found the feet of Billy King, who flashed narrowly over Alan Mannus' Crossbar.
Mid-way through the first-half, it was Stephen Bradley's side created the next chance. After his initial corner was cleared, the ball fell back to the feet of Dylan Watts, who's second delivery was flicked-on on the edge of the Pats box, forcing Joseph Anang in the Pats goal to make a superb save to keep the tie scoreless.
Billy King skied another chance over Alan Mannus' goal in the last action of the first-half, as both sides went into the break level.
The score was eventually broken on the hour mark, when Aaron Greene found the oncoming Andy Lyons in the Saints penalty area, and the Irish underage international emphatically fired home via the cross to give the Hoops the all-important lead.
One become two just 10 minutes later - and what a goal it was.
Aaron Greene found himself with space on the side-line in-front of Jack Scott. A neat nut-meg on the Pats right-back, was followed by a smart pull-back to evade Joe Redmond, before drilling his effort into the roof of Joseph Anang's goal to double the score for Stephen Bradley's side.
With time running out, Tim Clancy brought on Tunde Owolabi to try rescue something from the game, and the former Finn Harps man wasted no time in getting involved in the action.
First, the striker had an effort cleared off the line stunningly by Lee Grace, after he had picked up the lose ball from Roberto Lopes and skipped past Alan Mannus.
Then just moments later after a mazy run inside the box, he was fouled by Rovers substitute Ronan Finn and referee on the night Rob Hennessy pointed straight to the penalty spot.
Up stepped the ever-reliable Eoin Doyle to send Mannus the wrong way to half the deficit.
However, it was too little too late, as Rob Hennessy blew the full time whistle to the relief of the travelling away support.
The victory leaves Rovers 10 points clear at the crown of the table - albeit with two games more played on nearest rivals Dundalk - in second, whilst the hosts remain in fourth place.
A trip to Ballybofey is next on the agenda for Stephen Bradley's side this Friday, before they begin their European campaign next Tuesday at home to Maltese champions Hibernian FC. As for the Saints, they welcome Tim Clancy's old employers Drogheda United to Inchicore this coming Friday.
St. Patrick's Athletic: Anang; Scott, Redmond, Grivisti, Breslin; King, Forrester (C), O'Reilly, Burns (76' McCormack); E. Doyle & M. Doyle (82' Owolabi).
Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Hoare, Lopes (C), Grace; Gannon (74' Finn), Watts (84' Ferizaj), O'Neill, McCann (79' Cotter), Lyons; Greene (79' Burke) & Gaffney (74' Emakhu).
*Photo Credit: Evan Treacy/Inpho Sports Photography*