0 v 1 
Shamrock RoversVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 September 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Rovers Strike Late In Table Top Clash
Nahum Melvin-Lambert’s 93rd minute own goal has all but gifted the title to Shamrock Rovers as the defending champions saw off title rivals St Patrick’s Athletic 1-0.
It was a game of very few chances, with both sides looking too scared to lose rather than going all out for the win.
But Rovers’ win tonight increases the gap to nine points between the top two sides, with the league leaders also having a game in hand.
A big crowd was in attendance as over 2,500 fans were crammed into Richmond Park – its largest crowd since February 2020.
The aggression and intensity were there from both sides but the lack of quality in the final third was surprisingly missing from two teams with generally such potent attacks.
In the second half, Chris Forrester was picked out in the box by a great Sam Bone cross, but the attacker’s free header went wide, from just three yards out.
In a game of few chances, St Pat’s fans knew deep down that they would rue that miss as the predictable Rovers attacking storm came.
Former St Pats striker Aaron Greene went through one on one, but his shot was straight at Vitezslav Jaros.
Jaros was called into action once more in the 89th minute as he made an emphatic double save to deny substitute Ben McCormack.
But Rovers broke the deadlock in stoppage time after Dylan Watts’ free kick from the left was flicked into his own net by substitute Melvin-Lambert.
An unfortunate error but one that will likely see the title remain in Dublin for another year.
Next up for the champions elect is a home game against Derry City next Friday, kicking off at 8pm.
Whereas, second place St Pats are also in action next Friday, away to Drogheda United, with a 7:45pm start.
Past Meetings
Ground
| Richmond Park |
|---|
| Emmet Road, Kilmainham C ED, Dublin, Dublin 8, Leinster, D08 VK72, Ireland |
Ben Jaycock
I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.
Full time: St Patrick\'s Athletic 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
GOAL! Shamrock Rovers break the deadlock as a Dylan Watts free kick from the left is flicked in and it's Melvin-Lambert who converts the ball into his own net.
The fourth official has indicated there will be a minimum of four additional minutes to be played.
Finn gets a ball into the box but Jaros is aware of the danger.
The Player of the Match award goes to Barry Cotter.
Jaros makes an emphatic double save to deny Ben McCormack.
St Pats subs: Ben McCormack on for Jamie Lennon and Barry Cotter off for Nahum Melvin-Lambert
Shamrock Rovers sub: Chris McCann replaces Danny Mandriou
Chances at both ends as St Pats have a header cleared off the line before former St Pats striker Aaron Greene goes through on goal but his effort is poor and Jaros wins the battle.
Shamrock Rovers sub: Barry Cotter is replaced by Neil Farrugia
Still a very cagey affair, with both sides too scared to lose.
The free kick comes to nothing.
Free kick to Rovers in a threatening position after Lennon's foul on Mandriou.
Shamrock Rovers sub: Aaron Greene replaces Rory Gaffney
That half chance almost sums up the evening, great build up play but no real end product.
Jamie Lennon picks out Darragh Burns but Matty Smith couldn't connect to the cross properly.
St Pats sub: Shane Griffin replaces James Abankwah
Yellow card for a late challenge by Barry Cotter
Lennon and Mandriou are involved in a challenge that has very little in it but it causes a scuffle amongst the players that is quickly resolved.
St Pat's sub: Chris Forrester is replaced by Billy King.
Rory Gaffney gets into a good area but his pull back is poor and the chance is blown.
Burns makes a good run down the right and picks out Forrester but a vital interception prevents the danger, for the time being.
In a game of very few chances, how crucial could that miss be?
Forrester is picked out by a great cross from Sam Bone but the unmarked attacker heads wide from just two yards out.
Rovers break forward but their attack breaks down and goes out for a goal kick.
Back underway in the second half.
Half time: St Patrick's Athletic 0-0 Shamrock Rovers
The fourth official has indicated there will be a minimum of two additional minutes to be played.
The corner is well claimed by Vitezslav Jaros.
Rovers enjoying a good spell of possession and win a corner.
Forrester is okay to continue and play is back underway.
A break in play as Chris Forrester is down receiving treatment.
10 minutes to go in a tightly contested first half, with very few efforts on goal.
Apologies for the break in the reporting, we were suffering with some Wi-Fi issues but all resolved now.
Honours even here at Richmond Park, with both sides enjoying possession but neither side yet to test the other's goalmouth.
17-year old James Abankwah has been in the thick of the action thus far with two vital interceptions whilst marking Rovers striker Rory Gaffney.
The intensity and aggression are clearly there from both sides.
St Pats have the first corner of the game, after great combination play from Smith and Berry.
Cagey start to proceedings in this crucial clash between the two sides.
It's a great atmosphere at Richmond Park, with over 2,500 in attendance.
We're underway.
St Pats have made three changes from last week, with Abankwah, Lewis and Coughlan replacing McCormack, Hickman and King.
St Pats have made three changes from last week, with Abankwah, Lewis and Coughlan replacing McCormack, Hickman and King.
For the visitors, Barry Cotter starts at left wing-back, Gary O\'Neill and Dylan Watts start in midfield and Rory Gaffney leads the line.
The temperature in Dublin is currently 19 degrees Celsius, with a 2% chance of rain, humidity levels of 82% and a wind of 11 mph.
A top of the table clash sees league leaders Shamrock Rovers hosting second place St Patrick\'s Athletic. Rovers are six points clear of Athletic with a game in hand, therefore you feel the hosts must win tonight if they have any chance of lifting the trophy.
Hello and welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of today's League of Ireland Premier Division match between St Patrick's Athletic and Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park.