Shelbourne and Bohemians played out a scoreless draw at Tolka Park in front of a healthy Monday night crowd a result that's sees Shels still seeking their first home league win of the season.
While both defences refused to buckle in a game of few chances, it was incidents before the game had even kicked off that were the main talking points of this North Dublin derby.
The tension and rivalry between the two sides spilled over as the Bohs players went to applaud their supporters in the Ballybough end of the ground where Shels were finishing their warm ups.
As a result of the two sets of players coming together with members of both back room staffs there followed a pushing and shoving match as a ball was seen to be kicked in the Bohs players direction which angered some of the visiting staff in particular
The scuffle eventually calmed down but as the teams headed to the dressing rooms, there was another coming together in midfield between more members of the backroom staffs of both clubs.
Unsavoury incidents before the game had even kicked off, but the atmosphere was lifted to new heights as a result.
Shels were forced into a rejig at the back with James Norris starting in the heart of their defence in place of the injured Sam Bone and manager Joey O’Brien preferring Sam Boyd to John Martin upfront.
Bohs for their part started Jordan Flores, Darragh Power and Zane Mylers, all subs in the late 1-0 win over Galway on Friday.
It was the visitors, who had only won twice at Tolka Park since 2022, who had the best of the early chances, both falling to Zane Myers, a recent signing from Hull City, with the first saved by Shels keeper Wessel Speel, the second just missed the home side's left hand post.
The game though got bogged down with numerous fouls interrupting the flow in an opening 45 minutes that saw Bohs pin the home side deep in their own half for long periods.
Shels grew increasingly into the contest as the half wore on forcing a number of corners, which were dealt with ably by the Gypsies defence.
Harry Wood, Shels' leading goalscorer, looked lively throughout and he created an early second half chance as his floated cross to the back post found a free Evan Caffery who looked destined to score but his header missed the far post.
At the other end Myers showed a great turn of pace up the Bohs right before feeding Ross Tinerney whose low first-time shot was brilliantly saved low down at his near post by Speel.
In truth, Bohs had the lion's share of possession in the remaining half an hour against a Shels side that rarely threatened but who were resolute in defence.
Bohs had one last chance to win it in added time as Dawson Devoy saw his snap shot from inside the area saved one handed by Speel as the game ended honours even.
Shelbourne: Wessel Speel, Sean Gannon, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, James Norris(Daniel Kelly 65) , Kameron Ledwidge; James Henry-Francis (JJ Lunney 71) Evan Caffrey , Kerr McInroy, Harry Wood (Rodrigo Freitas 84), Maili Lundgren (Ali Coote 65); Sean Boyd (John Martin 71)
Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka, Darragh Power , Senan Mullen, Pat Hickey, Sam Todd; Jordan Flores (Adam McDonnell 74) , Dawson Devoy; Zane Myers (Marcus Strods 74), Ross Tierney, Connor Parsons (Harry Vaughan 82); Colm Whelan.
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd
Attendance: 5650
