St Patrick's and Bohemians played out a goalless draw at Richmond Park, but it's Pat's who will feel the more hard done by.
Bohemians enjoyed the majority of the possession but were unable to turn that into real chances, while at the other end, Saints always looked dangerous and their pacey breaks caused the visitors no end of trouble.
Pats' had the best chance of the first half on 27 minutes when Keith Fahey delivered a teasing cross into the box but even at full-stretch, Barry Prenderville was only able to get a slight touch on the ball and headed it wide.
Saints enjoyed slightly more possesion in the second half and again had the lion's share of the chances. Keith Dunne was a constant threat up front but a combination of some sloppy finishing and good goalkeeping kept him out.
Dunne had a great chance in the closing stages when a neat through ball from Keith Fahey put him through but the Bohs' keeper narrowed the angles and forced his to shoot wide.
Bohs' pushed forward in the dying minutes in search of a goal, but the best they could manage was a yellow card for David Bracken who was booked for diving in the penalty area on 83 minutes.
Meanwhile at Dalymount Park Richie Baker proved the difference between Shamrock Rovers and Shelboune - making the first gaol and scoring a delightful second - as champions Shels got back to winning ways.
Baker set up Stuart Byrne to blast home Shels’ opener on 39 minutes. Steve Gough wasted a chance to level for Rovers but blazed his 63rd minute penalty over the bar. Baker then scored a brilliant second 15 minutes form time to cap another man-of-the-match display.
