Shamrock Rovers captured their 21st league title in a dramatic clash with St. Patrick’s Athletic in Richmond Park this evening, Aaron Greene and Graham Burke struck late to deliver the Hoop’s fourth title on the bounce.

It was an all-action display from the off, Kian Leavy smashing a shot off the crossbar in the opening minutes. Gaffney looked to have put his side ahead on the other end, converting a spilled save from Dean Lyness into the back of the net, the fourth official saving Lyness’ blushes as he flagged for offside.

The game remained a stalemate for most of the 90, two second-half subs combining for the winner, Watts swinging in a cross into the back post that was powered home by Greene, ecstatic celebrations from the away end ensuing. Graham Burke sealed the deal for the hoops in the ninetieth minutes as The Saints began to wilt, rounding Lyness to make it 2-0

Given league standings one may have expected a fairly leisurely game where a draw would be sufficient for both teams-and this seemed to reflect in the team line-ups as Chris Forrester, Jake Mulraney, and Graham Burke started the game on the bench.

Any expectations of a comfortable game were quickly cast away as both sides bombed forward in search of the opener. It was the hosts who got the better of the earlier exchanges, Kian Leavy breaking down the middle with power, shrugging off Lee Grace and smashing a shot on the underside of the bar before the ball rebounded back into play without breaching the goal line.

Rovers produced plenty chances of their own, Rory Gaffney converting a spilt save from Dean Lyness, the fourth official sparing Lyness’ blushes as he flagged for offside. Johnny Kenny’s tenacity proved to be a constant threat for The Hoops, the Celtic loanee firing inches wide on two occasions in the first half.  

It proved a tense showing in Richmond Park with tackles flying, referee Neil Doyle perhaps hesitant to show cards given wide-spread criticism of his officiating in the FAI Cup semi-final.

As the second half kicked off the game fell into more of a lull, players on both sides looking slightly gassed from an all-action opening 45 minutes.

The bright spark for Pats proved to be Leavy once again-the young winger routinely picking the ball up from deep and driving forward with menace. Leavy may have been left rueing his decision making however after breaking through with another dazzling run, failing to get his head up and pass to Lonergan in acres of space on the left, opting for Melia instead who had his shot snuffed out by Grace.   

Bradley was forced to make a host of subs to try to re-invigorate what had largely been a flat second-half performance from his side, bringing on Aaron Greene and Dylan Watts. It proved to be a masterstroke from Bradley, as the two linked up to deliver the opener in the 81^st minute, Watts doing incredibly well to send a cross into the back post and find the on-rising figure of Greene who powered home to make it 1-0.

Ecstasy followed, Stephen Bradley breaking out of of his technical area to hype up the away supporters. Pats began to wilt and soon it was two, a 50/50 between Graham Burke and David Norman seeing the ball bounce goalwards, Burke pouncing on the opportunity. The forward rounded Lyness gracefully before slotting the goal in the back of the net. Burke’s strike sealed the deal for Rovers as they entered historic territory, becoming just the second squad to pull off four league titles in a row, adding their 21^st league title to their trophy cabinet in the process.

The Hoops begin their victory lap at Turners Cross playing a Cork City team that look bound to fight for their league survival in the playoffs. 

Jon Daly’s side travel to the Brandywell in what will be a dead rubber for both sides, European qualification secured for both sides.