1 v 2 
Shamrock RoversDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May 2021 | 6:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Rovers Man’ Dan delivers late
St. Pat’s invincibility in the current season has come to an end, as Daniel Mandriou’s last gasp goal confirmed a 2-1 win and stretches Shamrock Rovers unbeaten run to 32 games this evening.
Chris Forrester opened the scoring early on, but Graham Burke delivered an equaliser four minutes before the break.
When all seemed to point to a 1-all draw at full-time, Mandriou set an arrow through the rival’s heart at the death.
The importance of confirming points in the most exciting game of the round became obvious by the way that every single play was disputed with maximum intensity, turning the show into a battlefield in the middle.
Saints smiled early in the game when the man of the moment in Inchicore, Chris Forrester changed the score with a clinical finish inside the Shamrock Rovers box.
This was a brilliant start to matters that could have put the champions in a very delicate position. Two minutes after Pat’s came close to their second goal, with Rovers defence putting the ball away near the goal line.
The champions woke up shortly after, as Gary O’Neill came through with a real chance to set the equaliser but Jaros pull out a brilliant save. Sean Hoare tried a different approach from long range but slightly over the bar.
Hoops were feeling the moment and forced Jaros to another high-quality intervention, solving a problem which he created himself, incapable of chesting the first attempt.
Four minutes before the break, Stephen Bradley’s gang got the deserved equaliser as Graham Burke sent the ball in with a very nice shot going past the goalkeeper close to the near post.
The late goal conceded brought a much aggressive homeside looking to grab the top spot on the table. On the other side was an experienced team capable of holding back Pat’s attacking efforts, and acting with quick counter-attack moves.
Matty Smith had the best opportunity for the Saints 10 minutes from full-time.
A decent cross from Shane Griffin found Smith in the near post, as he saw Alan Mannus stopping it with an incredible reflex save.
And in the final embers, a poor approach from Lee Desmond when he tried to start the play from the back, left Daniel Mandriou face-to-face with Jaros as he finished smoothly to confirm Shamrock Rovers win at Richmond Park.
Timeline
| 8. Chris Forrester | 4' | |
| 6. Jamie Lennon | 35' | |
| 35' | 22. Liam Scales | |
| 41' | 10. Graham Burke | |
| 42' | 10. Graham Burke | |
| Ian Bermingham Shane Griffin | 46' | |
| 49' | Joey O'Brien Roberto Lopes | |
| Alfie Lewis Jason McClelland | 69' | |
| 69' | Graham Burke Sean Gannon | |
| 69' | Ronan Finn Chris McCann | |
| Jason McClelland Ben McCormack | 77' | |
| 11. Matty Smith | 86' | |
| 88' | Rory Gaffney Dean Williams | |
| 92' | 14. Daniel Mandriou |
Past Meetings
Ground
| Richmond Park |
|---|
| Emmet Road, Kilmainham C ED, Dublin, Dublin 8, Leinster, D08 VK72, Ireland |
Bernardo Santos
With previous experience on a top-tier sports newspaper and a media department of a former European Champion club, Bernardo also collaborates as a sports journalist and media editor at St. Patrick's Athletic.
All over here and Mandriou's late goal means Rovers have stretched their unbeaten run to 32 games. FT - St Patrick's Athletic 1 Shamrock Rovers 2
All over here and Mandriou's late goal means Rovers have stretched their unbeaten run to 32 games. FT - St Patrick's Athletic 1 Shamrock Rovers 2
Mentioning time for a winning goal - Daniel Mandriou has put the visitors in front - will it be enough?
There's going to be at least four additional minutes at the end of this half. Still a chance for both sides to snatch a winner.
Dean Williams enters the action.
Gaffney heads off for Rovers
Alan Mannus makes a tremendous stop for Rovers to deny Pat's of their second goal. A super attempt by Mattie Smith.
McClelland is the man to make way.
Ben McCormack comes in to the game -
Matty Smith comes in with a poor attempt for St. Pat's as Hoops keeper Alan Mannus halts him easily.
Alfie Lewis is the man who comes off.
Pat's are also keen to make a change - Jason McClelland is called into the action.
Goalscorer Graham Burke makes way - remember he's also picked up a yellow card.
It's a double sub for Rovers - with Sean Gannon also entering the fray.
Ronan Finn is the man who makes way
Chris McCann is set to get a taste of the action
Rovers second goal gets ruled out due to an off-side. Rory Gaffney is the man who had the ball in the back of the Pat's net.
You can feel the importance of this game in every single play; both teams are battling each play till the end turning this show into a battle.
The game has seen a complete turnaround, with Shamrock Rovers now struggling to find avenues of opportunity to leave their own half.
The initial stages of the second half seem like a mirror of the opening one, but without the goal. Pat's are pushing forward again looking to take the lead once more.
Joey O'Brien is the man to make way.
Roberto Lopes is Rovers first sub of the half.
Billy King has a shot for St Patrick's - it's been a while since the hosts have sent a ball in the way of the Rovers goalmouth.
Ian Bermingham makes way for Griffin.
Shane Griffin comes on at the break instead of Ian Bermingham.
Second half underway as St. Patrick's Athletic tip-off here at Richmond Park.
It's been a very entertaining first 45 minutes here at Richmond Park. St Pat's made the best of an early start, but after that it was all about Rovers searching for an equaliser. The 1-all interval score-line is certainly a true reflection of matters so far.
Both coaches were booked in the closing stages of the half - St. Patrick's Athletic's Stephen O'Donnell; and his Rovers counterpart Glen Cronin. It's been tense at times, and certainly entertaining so far in this Luas Derby!
Half-time - St Patrick's Athletic 1 Shamrock Rovers 1
Burke has been in big demand for Shamrock Rovers - he tests Jaros, who sends the ball out for a corner.
The referee signals two minutes of additional time
Burke gets booked moments after his goal, due to a light tackle.
Shamrock Rovers get the equaliser as we approach the break. Graham Burke puts a very nice shot past the goalkeeper, with an excellent effort going close to the near post.
Jaros cleans up a mistake himself, as he deals with it thanks to a tremendous stop.
Liam Scales also picks up a yellow card for Rovers.
Referee Derek Tomeny gets his cards out for the first time. Jamie Lennon is the first Pat's man to be carded.
Dylan Watts sends in the corner-kick for Rovers.
Shamrock Rovers are coming in with a one touch play from the right wing, as Lee Desmond slides it off for a corner.
For the first time in 10 minutes, St. Pat's are coming forward down to the pitch trying to get somewhere. It's been a battle for a long spell in the Saints half.
Sean Hoare with a nice attempt from long range, but it finishes by going slightly over the bar.
Gary O'Neill comes through with a real chance for Shamrock Rovers, but Pat's goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros denies an equaliser as he pulls off a brilliant save.
Shamrock Rovers are trying to win some yards on the pitch, and are looking for an early equaliser, but without success so far. St Pat's are trying to stay solid at the back, like they are in all game, but it's the Champions they are facing tonight - aiming to stretch their unbeaten run to a record 32!
Pat's have come close to their second goal, with Shamrock Rovers defence putting the ball away near the goal line.
Five minutes gone in the first half Chris Forrester, changes the score with a clinical finish inside the Shamrock Rovers box.
Game underway here at Richmond Park
Shamrock Rovers: Three changes in the starting XI from last week: Sean Gannon, Max Murphy and Aaron Greene coming off, Roman Finn, Graham’s Burke and Joey O’Brien coming in.
Both teams know the damage of a possible loss tonight; Pat’s would see the rival winning a five-points distance running away at the top, Rovers would leave Inchicore commanding the league.
Latest team news - St. Pat’s: Alfie Lewis comes in replacing Paddy Barrett.
We are expecting to have an entertaining show between the two best sides so far in the season. Pat’s are second placed with 21 points and yet to be beaten. They came very close to a first loss last week visiting Sligo Rovers, but an Ian Bermingham goal on injury time set a 1-all draw.
Good evening and you are very welcome to Richmond Park for the main event of the tenth round of fixtures in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. My name is Bernardo Santos and I’ll tell you all about today's game as it happens.