A superb Shelbourne and resilient Shamrock Rovers played out a thrilling Ringsend derby in which the hosts were forced to dig deep to come from behind and rescue a point as 6,835 watched on at a chilly Tallaght Stadium.
It was a 100 years ago to the day that Shamrock Rovers secured their very first league title - overcoming Shelbourne in a strange twist of faith - as goals from Graham Burke and Roberto Lopes salvaged a massive point for the Hoops who were second best for much of the evening.
The visitors started much the better and deservedly punished the sleepy Shamrock Rovers after just 18-minutes, albeit through a bit of fortune. Following a short corner routine, Matty Smith's low driven cross was turned into his own net by Graham Burke, who took a wild swing to clear but saw the ball bounce in off the post.
Graham Burke's attempted clearance goes all wrong and it's Shamrock Rovers 0-1 Shelbourne.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 14, 2023
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Neil Farrugia tried to lift his side with a whipped effort seven minutes before the break before the game's first big moment of controversy. As Smith burst into the box, he looked to be caught clumsily by the recovering Dan Cleary, but the animated Shels players saw their protests waved away.
Stephen Bradley looked to his bench at half time, making a double substitution in a desperate bid to lift his side, introducing Richie Towell and Gary O’Neill but it was the visitors who doubled their lead with a lightning quick break as Jack Moylan teed up his strike partner Smith to guide home first time from the edge of the area.
Matty Smith makes it Shamrock Rovers 0-2 Shelbourne with a composed finish after a brilliant counter-attack from the visitors.
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Burke, at the right end this time, halved the deficit almost immediately with an incredible left footed effort from distance that sailed into the top corner, as the boisterous home crowd.
Responsible for an ugly own goal at the other end in the first half, Graham Burke scores an absolute beauty to make it Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Shelbourne.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 14, 2023
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With less than a quarter of an hour remaining at a tension filled Tallaght, another substitute, Roberto Lopes powered home the leveller from Jack Byrne’s delightfully floated free kick.
Despite some half chances at either end, neither team could force a late winner and will both seem happy with the point at the end of the day.
Pico Lopes capitalises on awful Shels defending to make it Shamrock Rovers 2-2 Shelbourne.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 14, 2023
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St Patrick’s Athletic lie in wait next for Shamrock Rovers, their fourth Dublin Derby on the spin as they continue to pile the pressure on bitter rivals Bohemians, whilst the Reds hunt for consistency continues as they welcome Dundalk to Tolka Park.
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus, Neil Farrugia, Sean Hoare, Lee Grace, Dan Cleary (Roberto Lopes, 68’), Sean Kavanagh (Gary O’Neill, 45’), Dylan Watts (Richie Towell, 45’), Markus Poom, Jack Byrne, Graham Burke, Rory Gaffney (Johnny Kenny, 63’)
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns, Shane Farrell, Andrew Quinn, Shane Griffin, Paddy Barrett, Tyreke Wilson, JJ Lunney, Brian McManus (Kameron Ledwidge, 58’), Evan Caffrey, Matty Smith (Kyle Robinson, 90+2), Jack Moylan (Kian Leavy, 82’)
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
