Ryan Byrne/INPHO
An uneventful Dublin derby see’s Shamrock Rovers claim all three points against title rivals St Patrick’s Athletic.
Shamrock Rovers Manager Stephen Bradley will be delighted with tonight’s vital win, in what was their first home game of the 2025 season. Many neutrals who tuned into Virgin Media will however be disappointed with the game as a hole.
After a sloppy opening ten minutes, the majority of the play was played in the middle sector. Midfielders Chris Forrester and Barry Baggley for St Pats controlled, without punishing the Shamrock Rovers defence. The same could be said for Matt Healy and Dylan Watts for Shamrock Rovers.
The opening chance of the game fell to Mason Melia. The teenager, who is bound for Tottenham Hotspur next year, did very well allowing the ball come across his body, but his strike was off target, deflecting off his own teammate.
The ever improving Danny Grant grew into the game and started to cause the St Pats defence some problems. On the 18th minute, neat link up play by Shamrock Rovers and poor defending by Pats, allowed Grant to get a half chance. He decided to square the ball rather than backing himself for a strike on goal.
It was tit for tat for the majority of the opening half. St Pats and Jake Mulraney started to test the Shamrock Rovers defence with a number of teasing crosses. Mulraney also went into referee Rob Hennessy’s book for a clear dive, one of two by Mulraney in the game tonight. Luckily the Referee didn’t see the second as a yellow.
Rovers had a couple of half chances before the break. Graham Burke’s scuffed strike dribbled wide of Joseph Anang’s goal. While Grant had another half chance himself.
The best opportunity of the half again fell to Melia. Minutes before the half time break, Zach Elbouzedi crossed for Melia. From two yards out, he somehow managed to hit the crossbar with a header. A goal the youngster could have done with.
The teams went in nil all at the break.
There wasn’t much to shout about for the opening ten minutes of the second half.
In the 54th minute, the game came to life when Ed McGinty was called into action. An intelligent ball by Chris Forrester found Aidan Keena unmarked in the penalty box. The leagues inform striker will be disappointed with his touch, however credit must go to McGinty who was quick off his line to deny Keena his sixth goal of the season.
Within a minute, St Pats centre half Joe Redmond was caught in two minds. Aaron Greene capitalised on his mistake. Greene found Anang off his line but his deft chip narrowly went over the bar. Great vision and character from the experienced Aaron Greene who saw the ball land on the roof of the net.
A couple of half chances again found both sides, one of note a strike from Roberto Lopes who had a twenty five yard strike easily saved by Anang.
In the 63rd minute, the deadlock was finally broken. Winger Danny Grant, who is looking to get his career back on track after a frustrating couple of years, was the Rovers goal scorer. He picked the ball up on the half way line, going past Tom Grivotsi, carrying the ball to the edge of the box and his deflected strike flew over Anang and the Hoops were one nil up on their title rivals.
On the 76th minute, Keena had a great chance for Pats. A great turn was followed by a nice strike, however he will be frustrated not to test McGinty in goals.
Shamrock Rovers did well to see it out to the final whistle. The 8093 in attendance will be delighted to see more minutes for Rory Gaffney and Jack Byrne tonight.
St Pats on the other hand, will be bitterly disappointed and rue missed chances tonight, notably Melia’s chance off the crossbar. Stephen Kenny’s heavily fancied side will be frustrated, with only seven points from a possible fifteen.
Tonight’s Man of the match is Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty. A couple of great saves, commanding presence and good positioning made sure of a clean sheet tonight and their first of the season.