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St Patrick's Athletic see off Shelbourne in Tolka Park classic

Updated / Monday, 30 Sep 2024 22:07

Shelbourne suffered another serious stumble in their faltering title race, falling to a painful and dramatic defeat at the hands of St Patrick’s Athletic.

Joe Redmond and Brandon Kavanagh gave the Saints a two-goal cushion heading into the final quarter-hour before Rayhaan Tulloch and Matty Smith got Shels back in the game.

A raucous and hopeful Tolka Park roared the Reds towards a winner, however, it was Saints substitute Al-Amin Kazeem who played the role of villain, nicking a dramatic late goal and silencing Richmond Road.

The end of the match was mired in further drama as tempers flared on the touchline and the pitch, culminating in a late red card for substitute Smith.

While Shelbourne will dominate the headlines, Stephen Kenny’s Saints are marching towards the European spots with a five-game winning run to boast.

Despite tonight's bruising loss at the hands of his former boss, Damien Duff and Shelbourne remain four points clear atop the SSE Airtricity League table.

With only one league win in their last nine attempts, and without a home win since June, this really should be title-ending form.

However, in this weirdest of seasons – where their rivals have also become experts in self-sabotage – Duff’s forces are still just four games from history.

They are inching towards their first league title in 18 years, however, most concerning for locals around here is the fact that their nearest rivals Derry have a crucial game in hand.

Sunday’s trip to Shamrock Rovers could yet define the Reds' season before final matches against Drogheda, Waterford and then Derry.

Conscious of how important his squad is at this stage of the season, Duff made five changes from last Friday’s draw with Sligo.

Aiden O’Brien came in to lead the line, while Liam Burt and Tulloch provided attacking support.

Attempting to overwhelm full-back Axel Sjoberg, Tulloch and Harry Wood teamed up repeatedly to target the Saints' right side.

However, the Swede handled both threats, forcing Shelbourne back through the centre.

And that’s where the home side took sight at goal as Mark Coyle and O’Brien fired early efforts goalwards.

The Reds went closer on the quarter-hour mark when Paddy Barrett headed a corner just over.

However, it was the Saints who took the lead when Redmond flicked Kavanagh’s free-kick home. The skipper’s second goal in four days coming courtesy of Kavanagh’s 11th assist of the season.

The Saints were soon on top. Zack Elbouzedi and Keena found space along the back four as Conor Kearns faced a series of shots.

The keeper has been one of Shels’ biggest assets this season but was nearly embarrassed when Keena – five yards inside his half – spotted the 26-year-old off his line. Though, the audacious effort could only rattle the crossbar.

The visitors looked increasingly comfortable as Jake Mulraney smashed the woodwork just four minutes after the restart.

Elbouzedi’s pace was causing problems for Shels and the summer signing soon set up the Saints’ second.

Paddy Barrett's half-hearted clearance fell to the winger who found Kavanagh to slot home inside the six-yard box.

Shels looked down and out as the visitors pushed for a third.

However, with 15 minutes to go Tulloch and Smith came to the rescue. A one-two with John Martin allowed Tulloch to curl the ball into the very corner of Anang’s net.

Smith copied the trick from the opposite side minutes later.

Tolka Park was energised and their players were thriving off it. The home crowd was riled up even further as Duff clashed with Pat's assistant Brian Gartland in a contested technical area.

However, the noise lasted mere minutes as the Saints punished their opponents on the counter. Substitute Al-Amin Kazeem found himself in the right place to convert Mason Melia’s effort which ricocheted off the post.

Possibly feeling their title race slip, discipline disappeared as Smith was given his marching orders for a late off-the-ball clash.

He will now be missing for what could be a defining few weeks for this team.

Shelbourne FC: Conor Kearns; Sean Gannon, Paddy Barrett, Shane Griffin (Tyreke Wilson, 41), Kameron Ledwidge; Mark Coyle Evan Caffrey (John Martin, 68); Liam Burt (Ali Coote, 56), Harry Wood (Matty Smith, 68), Rayhaan Tulloch; Aiden O'Brien (Sean Boyd, 56)

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; Axel Sjoberg, Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti, Anto Breslin; Jamie Lennon, Chris Forrester (Aaron Bolger, 61); Zack Elbouzedi, Brandon Kavanagh (Al-Amin Kazeem, 87), Jake Mulraney (Mason Melia, 77); Aidan Keena (Kian Leavy, 77)

Referee: Damien MacGraith

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