St Patrick’s Athletic bounced back from their defeat at Drogheda United before the break to record a 1-0 win against local rivals Shelbourne tonight.

The Saints needed to bounce back after their 2-1 defeat at Drogheda United before the mid-season break two weeks ago and did so in a ruthless fashion tonight.

Jake Mulraney’s spectacular free-kick the difference between the two sides on a blustery night in Inchicore.

The first half was a quiet affair until the 42nd minute when it sprang into life when Athletic’s Ben McCormack was booked for a dive close to the edge of the Shelbourne box.

Up until then, it had been Shels who were having the better of the play, Damien Duff’s men looking comfortable and assured on the ball with the movement and understanding of a well-coached side.

The Saints were happy to be more direct and looked to trouble Shels with long balls over the top and overloads on the wings before looking to whip the ball into the box.

One of those crosses gave us the best moment of the opening period when Jake Mulraney headed against the post and the follow-up was somehow cleared off the line miraculously by Gavin Molloy to keep the game scoreless at the break.

The early minutes of the second half had little to comment on before a Shelbourne counterattack in the 56th minute was cynically halted by Sam Curtis and all hell broke loose with Referee Rob Hennessy dishing out four yellow cards as players from both sides got involved in a bout of pushing and shoving.

As the match looked destined to peter out into a goalless draw, a free kick was awarded wide of the right-hand side of the Shel’s box.

Up stepped Mulraney who kicked the ball in the fashion of Cristiano Ronaldo into the ground and it flew past Conor Kearns and in off the crossbar to make it 1-0 for the home side.

The visitors attempted to get back into the game, but the Saints makeshift defence held sturdy to record their third 1-0 win over Shelbourne this season.