1 v 1 
St. Pat's AthVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 March 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Rovers Rally to Split Spoils
Shamrock Rovers maintained their 23-match league unbeaten record and while St.Patrick’s Athletic would have taken a point before kick-off, they will rue mistakes late in the game.
The opening half really was a tactical affair as St.Pat’s challenged Rovers by pressing high up on their defence. Rovers’ ability to play out of defence was severely tested by this tactic.
The St. Pat’s formation flooded midfield and ensured they won the majority of possession in the early stages of the game.
When Rovers came into the game, they were successful in using a diagonal cross-field pass to find players in space, perhaps trying to play over a dominant St. Pat’s midfield.
In the second half, Rovers started to find joy down the wings and they troubled the St. Pat’s defence who had to make a fantastic goal-line clearance by Desmond from a Danny Mandriou effort.
Indeed, St. Pat’s new signing, goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, was gradually tested more in the second half but he matched everything that was kicked at him. The 19-year-old Czech keeper pulled off a number of impressive saves from Burke.
It was Burke who appeared to be the most likely Rovers player to break the deadlock. However, there just always seemed to be a St. Pat’s player present and willing to put himself between the ball and goal.
In the final minutes, as a draw seemed imminent, Robbie Benson was played into space on the left wing and his deflected shot went into the Rovers’ net. The joy was etched across the faces of St. Pat’s fans. The moment cried out for fans to be present to share it.
However, the joy was short-lived as Rovers attacked from the re-start and Sean Hoare whipped over a tremendous cross. Aaron Greene, a 53rd minute substitute for Rory Gaffney, leaped like a salmon out of water, to head home for Shamrock Rovers.
Overall, an even game ended all square in Tallaght Stadium. Next week, Rovers have to travel to the Brandywell where they will certainly be challenged strongly again.
St. Patrick’s Athletic will host league newcomers, Drogheda United, who themselves finish the first Friday night of the league season top of the table after a win against Waterford United today.
Timeline
| 2. Sean Gannon | 5' | |
| 17' | 19. Ronan Coughlan | |
| 42' | 5. Lee Desmond | |
| 45' | Billy King Jason McClelland | |
| Rory Gaffney Aaron Greene | 53' | |
| 61' | 5. Shane Griffin | |
| Ronan Finn Dylan Watts | 69' | |
| Joey O'Brien Sean Kavanagh | 71' | |
| 84' | Paddy Barrett Sam Bone | |
| 4. Roberto Lopes | 88' | |
| 9. Aaron Greene | 89' |
Past Meetings
Officials
| Referee | Assistants | Fourth Official |
|---|---|---|
| Rob Hennessy | Allen Lynch Emmett Dynan | Robert Harvey |
Ground
| Tallaght Stadium |
|---|
| Tallaght Stadium, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 XC9W |
Paul Regan
A sports nut who has coached at underage level in the League of Ireland. Passionate about domestic football.
It ends 1-1 here. Shamrock Rovers maintain a 23-game league unbeaten run. St.Pat's will surely take positives from their performance while perhaps regret not taking the victory.
Mandroiu takes the corner but Liam Scales heads the ball wide.
Can St.Pat's hang on?
Last minute left. Shamrock Rovers have a corner.
Four minutes of extra time for either side to get a winner.
Well it is all kicking off now! Aaron Greene leaps highest in the box to head the ball low past Jaros.
A Robbie Benson run down the left hand side creates space for him and his cross is deflected into the Rovers' net.
With five minutes to go, it appears that we are set to equal last season's 0-0 draws between the teams
Paddy Barrett is off for Sam Bone
Paddy Barrett is off for Sam Bone
Jaros has had a good debut, looking a very commanding goalkeeper tonight. How excited are St.Pat's fans with his display tonight?
Lovely close control by Burke gives him space to get a shot off but Jaros makes a good save.
Our Preview of the game predicted a tight affair, 1-0 to Rovers. It will be an interesting last fifteen minutes. Will fitness play a part now? In an even game, who has the greater hunger now?
Rovers have a free kick in a central area and Burke's driven shot under the wall brings another good save from St.Pat's new keeper. The ball out is fizzed over by McCann.
A quick breakaway down the left for Danny Mandroiu brings a good save out of Jaros in goals.
Sean Kavanagh for Joey O'Brien
Sean Kavanagh for Joey O'Brien
Dylan Watts comes on for Ronan Finn
Dylan Watts comes on for Ronan Finn
Shane Griffin goes into the referee's book.
A great passage of play for Rovers down the left wing as Hoare puts in a cross and St.Pat's clear the ball off their line.
A cross from the right wing finds Scales in the penalty box for Rovers but he doesn't attempt to repeat his wonder goal from last week, instead choosing to play the ball over a defender but St.Pat's clear their lines
An important touch from Barrett defends a great cross from Sean Gannon down the right wing.
Mandriou has a nice play down the right hand side, nutmegging a St. Pat's player as he goes past him. Rovers win two free kicks in succession on the right wing.
St. Pats then break down the field and nearly take the lead but for a good save from Mannus
St. Pats have a let off in their own area after a Paddy Barrett mistake and Rovers are almost in
Alan Mannus punches away a cross well clear of his penalty box.
Aaron Greene comes on for Rory Gaffney
A great switch of play from McCann to Scales who sets up Burke but his shot is over the bar.
McCann is displaying the full range of his passing ability tonight, playing some clever passes in midfield
Joey O'Brien absolutely pings a crossfield pass to the right hand side. This has been a feature of Rover's play so far. Burke gets the ball out of his feet but his shot goes over the bar.
O'Brien concedes the first corner kick of the second half
Shamrock Rovers get us underway for the second half. St.Pat's new striker, Ronan Coughlan, wins a free-kick for St.Pat's
Some interesting talking points from the first half. Can Shamrock Rovers play out against St.Pat's defence? The referee has given three yellow cards: Were they all deserving of punishment? Can either side create a goal scoring opportunity in the second half to break the deadlock?
Half-Time in Tallaght Stadium. 0-0.
Mandriou skips passed a defender but Lee Desmond tackles him, and the referee awards a free. Desmond might feel it was harsh
Good work from Rovers down the left, provides Burke with some space in the box, but three St.pat's players block the shot.
An enthusiastic tackle by Matty Smith has angered a few of the Rovers players. The game so far is stop-start.
Overall, the play has been of a fast tempo but players are still adjusting to the pace of the game.
Rover's play down the left is put out for a corner. The counter-attack from Smith is stopped quickly as he is hauled down.
Good intricate passing around St.Pat's box gives Burke another shot and Rovers win a corner. St. Patrick's new keeper gives a commanding punch away.
Two good crossfield switches of play from McCann and Scales provide Burke with a good chance to shoot but his shot does not trouble the keeper.
The away team are confident in possession without really troubling Rovers' defence so far.
Danny Mandroiu's resulting free-kick goes wide.
Good work from Rovers down the right hand side. Gannon earns a free-kick
A fantastic cross-field pass by Hoare gives Finn a good chance to have a shot but he blasts the ball well over the crossbar
A really good team move for Rovers allows Burke a chance to get behind the fullbacks, but St. Pat's new keeper does well to clear his lines.
Coughlan receives a yellow card for a tackle in which his studs were high.
This is an interesting tactical battle so far. Shamrock Rovers are struggling to play through St.Pat's midfield pressing game.
St.Pat's are in control of the general play in the game. Smith has been influential so far.
St.Pat's have started the game well, controlling midfield. Forrester and Smith have had some good interplay down the left wing.
Sean Gannon receives the first yellow card of the game in his return to Shamrock Rovers. He will have to remain cautious for the rest of the game.
A foul on Burke gives Shamrock Rovers their first free kick of the game but St.Pat's win the ball back after a good interception.
St.Pat's are putting Shamrock Rovers under pressure in the opening minutes but Rovers clear their lines.
St.Pat's win the first corner of the game.
And We are off! Robbie Benson takes the tip to start the game!
Welcome to the FinalWhistle.ie coverage of Shamrock Rovers v St.Patrick's Athletic tonight. We are just 20 minutes away from kick-off in Tallaght to this hugely anticipated clash between the Champions and their Dublin neighbours in the first Dublin Derby of the season. While you are waiting, you can read our pre-match preview of the match.