Monday night football at the Tallaght Stadium and Shamrock Rovers’ title aspirations are back on track after a relatively routine 1-0 victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic, courtesy of a slick first half strike by Man of the match Ronan Finn. After a
An unfortunate 77th-minute own goal by St. Patrick's Athletic central defender Kevin Toner gave Shamrock Rovers a deserved, if not overly impressive, 1-0 win at the Tallaght Stadium.
Graham Burke played the ball to Ethan Boyle on the right. The right-back’s innocuous looking cross was diverted into his own net by Toner.
Trevor Clarke impressed at left back for Rovers as their good run of home results continued. A hardworking St. Pat’s side will feel somewhat aggrieved but with Christy Fagan rather isolated up front they couldn’t prise an opening.
Ex-Cork City man Ian Turner did improve matters down Pat’s right a little following his second half introduction but after outpacing the Rovers defence midway through the half, he couldn’t link with Fagan.
The opening 20 minutes were pretty even with no chances and precious little goalmouth action. Rovers took over for the remainder of the half and neat inter play carved out a few half chances.
Brandon Miele probably had the best of them with a powerful header just wide from a Trevor Clarke left wing cross. There were also shots from Miele and from last week’s four-goal hero Burke but in truth they didn’t trouble keeper Barry Murphy.
Tomer Chencinski was restored to the home goal and he dealt competently with Pat’s first half efforts – a right wing free kick from Owen Garvan that he clawed out from under his bar and a Conan Byrne looping header. Fagan was restricted to a long-range effort that flew wide of the Chenicinski’s right hand upright.
