A third Dublin derby in a week for Shamrock Rovers ended all square as, for the third game in a row, Shelbourne drew a league match 2-2 on a night of real passion in Tallaght.
Tempers frayed at times on the sidelines as both sides fought each valiantly in a cracking tie in front of just over 7,300 supporters at the South Dublin venue.
It was the second draw between the sides this season after a 1-1 draw in their opening encounter at Tolka Park in February.
Stephen Bradley made two changes to the side that lost dramatically to Bohemians last Monday, bringing in Danny Grant for Adam Matthews, while Aaron Greene made way for Graham Burke.
Shels replaced Ali Coote with Harry Wood in midfield.
Shels first real attack in the ninth minute saw Mipo Odubeko earn a corner and Evan Caffery’s cross was heading in until Ed McGinty in the home goal pawed it way at the expense of another corner, which came to nothing.
Moments later, at the other end, a weak defensive header from Sam Bone fell nicely in the area for 16-year-old Michael Noonan and Bone was grateful to keeper Conor Kearns, who got the big defender out of trouble.
Shels were putting some nice moves together in front of the Rovers backline as the half wore on, but without penetrating, and the visitors were hit with a sucker punch as the Hoops opened the scoring in the 28th minute.
Jack Byrne, who was a real thorn in the Shels rearguard, set up Matt Healy on the edge of the area and his shot completely deceived Kearns, who was moving to his left as the ball spun away from him and ended up in the right corner of the net.
It was Healy’s first goal for the Hoops since his signing from Belgian side Francs Borains in January.
In the first minute of added time at the end of the half, Graham Burke should have scored a second as he dragged the ball beautifully by Kameron Ledwidge on the righthand side of the area, but with the goal in his sights, he blazed over.
In the opening moments of the second half, Noonan latched onto a ball over the top of the Shels defence but couldn’t beat the legs of Kearns inside the area.
Shels were then hit with a double injury blow when Kerr McInroy and Sam Bone had to go off in the 49th minute, replaced by Coote and Sean Gannon, and amazingly Damien Duff’s side equalised just seconds after their introduction.
A Jame Norris cross was headed across goal by Harry Wood and Coote scored close in with his very first touch on 50 minutes.
Byrne's shot then zipped just over the visitor’s crossbar, ruffling the net, so much so that some in the South Stand thought he had scored.
But it was Shels who took the lead on 65 minutes when a sumptuous cross by Ledwidge was laid on a plate for Odubeko, who side-footed home in the six-yard box.
But the lead lasted only two minutes as, after a Rovers corner, Lee Grace found Daniel Cleary all alone and the big defender steered home the equaliser.
Both sides had chances to win it in the closing stages.
Caffery had a shot blocked on the line for Shels after a massive scramble in the area, while Kearns again saved with his legs to deny Grant's shot from inside the area.
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Dan Cleary (Cory O’Sullivan 75), Roberto Lopes (captain), Lee Grace: Danny Grant (Victor Ozhianvuna 88), Dylan Watts (Adam Mathews 79), Matthew Healy , Jack Byrne, Josh Honohan; Graham Burke (Aaron Greene 88) Michael Noonan
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Mark Coyle (captain), Sam Bone (Sean Gannon 49), Kameron Ledwidge; Evan Caffrey, Kerr McInroy (Ali Coote 49), JJ Lunney, Ellis Chapman (John O’Sullivan 86), James Norris; Harry Wood (John Martin 70); Mipo Odubeko.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Donegal)
