Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic played out an incident-packed and entertaining 1-1 draw in the Dublin derby at the Tallaght Stadium. St. Pat’s had opened the brighter, belying the respective league positions. But a mistake in the Pat’s re
Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic played out an incident-packed and entertaining 1-1 draw in the Dublin derby at the Tallaght Stadium.
St. Pat’s had opened the brighter, belying the respective league positions. But a mistake in the Pat’s rearguard allowed the lively Graham Burke to race through in the 17th minute. Conor O’Malley advanced but Burke expertly slid the ball into the net to give the home side the lead. After that, Rovers were more assured on the ball and could have extended their advantage before the break. Burke might have had his second with a left footer that flew just wide. It was a mixed night for the Rovers attacking midfielder. He was sent off in the second half for an attempted kick on ex Rovers player Pat Cregg who impressed in the Pat’s midfield.
St Pat’s lacked a real goal threat in the first half although Christy Fagan will be regretting a missed opportunity on 41 minutes. A Rovers error in defence presented a gilt-edged chance but the usually reliable striker shot wide. That one might have gone a begging but Fagan showed how deadly he can be eight minutes after the resumption. The industrious Conan Byrne was wonderfully persistent in beating a posse of Rovers players. Byrne played the ball through to Fagan who lifted the ball high into Tomer Chencinski’s net. Liam Buckley’s men might have won it late on, particularly after Rovers were reduced to ten. Two Conan Byrne shots, one his now trademark effort from midfield, went close. But it ended 1-1, just Rovers second draw of the season, both of which have come at home.
