Chris Forrester's second-half header proved the difference as St Patrick’s Athletic beat Shamrock Rovers 1-0 at a jam-packed Richmond Park.
The Inchicore venue was near capacity long before kick-off in this highly anticipated encounter and the roof almost came off the main stand as Forrester rose highest to head home early in the second half.
Rovers had controlled the tempo in the first half, without capitalising, while their final efforts to save a point in the final stages lacked the required quality in and around the Saints penalty box.
A packed venue roared both sides into action from the opening whistle and it was the home side who took the initiative by taking the game to Rovers, playing with real intensity during those opening exchanges.
It took just three minutes to work their first effort on goal as Mark Doyle ran into space in from the left, however, he dragged his shot wide.
The former Drogheda man again went close a minute later following good play down the right and while the striker met the cross at the near post, he glanced just over.
Rory Gaffney conjured the first Rovers chance in the seventh minute as he managed to turn and shoot in the box, however, his deflected effort was easily accounted for.
It took a good 15 minutes for the game to really settle with both sides looking to get their passing game going, however, the home side were not helped by goalkeeper Joseph Anang who was not terribly comfortable with the ball at his feet, and had a habit of hooking his clearances out over the left touchline
In the 18th minute, Jack Byrne had his first look at goal as the space opened up outside the box. The Ireland international appeared intent on hitting the target, and while he worked Anang, the shot was tame and straight at the keeper.
Ronan Finn raced through a minute later from the right flank and with the angle narrowing, he worked his shot on target but Anang did well to get a foot on the ball to deflect from danger.
With 30 minutes on the clock there was a moment's pause in the main stand as the home fans feared the worst as Danny Mandroiu crashed the ball goalwards from a tight angle following a sublime Byrne through ball.
However, their anxiety eases as it became apparent that the near-post effort only managed to disturb the side-netting.
Rovers maintained the upper hand throughout the second quarter of the game without really threatening, and while Saints countered with pace, it was invariably neutralised.
Dylan Watts was next to test Anang with a left-footed curling effort from about 25 yards in the 42nd minute, but again the power was lacking and it was easy for the keeper.
Two minutes before the break, the vocal home support appealed for a penalty as Eoin Doyle went down in the box with Lee Grace in close attention, however, the referee was well placed to see the incident and deemed that the striker went down of his own volition.
Rovers looked to start the second half as they finished the first and it took just four minutes to create a goalscoring opportunity as Andy Lyons was worked into the box following a set-piece, but he just ran out of space as Anang smothered inside the six-yard box.
But it was the home side who would break the deadlock in the 54th minute as Forrester rose unchallenged in the box from a corner to guide a fine header past Alan Mannus.
The Saints' playmaker was unable to influence affairs up to that point, but the goal rocked the stadium and put the home side in control of this Dublin derby.
Danny Mandroiu was replaced shortly after the goal with Graham Burke coming on in his place, and the attacking midfielder displayed some ire as he left the pitch to take his place on the bench.
Burke made a difference to the Hoops attacking play and linked with Byrne to set up the Hoops next chance in the 69th minute, which saw Lyons crash a low effort on target.
The shot was well hit and heading for the bottom left corner, however, Anang scooped the save around the post in a most unorthodox, yet effective manner.
Another chance for Rovers to draw level came two minutes later as Rory Gaffney connected with a flicked volley from close range, but the ball flew just over the bar.
With 15 minutes remaining, Stephen Bradley sent on a trio of substitutes to attempt to salvage something as Aaron Greene, Barry Cotter and Sean Gannon were introduced.
Forrester then almost doubled the Saints lead as he tried his luck from way out, and fortune almost favoured the brave as the dipping effort was only just dealt with by Mannus who had to scramble to stop the ball from crossing the line.
Into the final 10 minutes Rovers piled the pressure on inside the Pat’s final third, yet nothing was happening for Bradley’s attack-heavy side, which now saw Aidomo Emakhu added to the front-line.
Byrne was edged off the ball inside the box, which knocked the Hoops playmaker off his feet, and while the referee appeared to ponder a moment, there was really no decision to make.
Burke latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box as the 90-minute mark approached, however, the left-footed effort flew wide, leaving Rovers with four additional minutes to work with.
Two Byrne set-pieces gave Rovers ample opportunity to work the Saints goal, yet both failed to fire and the home side held on to take the three points.
St Patricks Athletic: Joseph Anang; Jack Scott, Tom Grivosti, Joe Redmond, Anto Breslin; Adam O’Reilly, Chris Forrester (captain), Billy King (Tunde Owolabi 73), Darragh Burns (Ian Bermingham 80), Mark Doyle, Eoin Doyle
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Sean Hoare, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Andy Lyons (Barry Cotter 75), Gary O’Neill, Dylan Watts (Aidomo Emakhu 83), Ronan Finn (Sean Gannon 75); Danny Mandroiu (Graham Burke 58), Jack Byrne, Rory Gaffney (Aaron Greene 75)
Referee: Rob Harvey
