SHANE ROBINSON hit the post on 75 minutes with a first time shot. This was the closest thing a very poor Rovers side got to a goal as the top two teams in the country battled out an unstylish encounter at Richmond Park.
Robinson tried to claim a penalty on 90 minutes and ref Hughie Byrne should have dismissed the Rovers player for diving.
The scoreless draw leaves Saint Patrick's tenants, Rovers, without a win in their last three league games.
St Pat’s took their time getting started but came closest to making the breakthrough when they did.
Robbie McGuinness, shot over on 25 minutes from only 10 yards.Then a downward header from Paul Osam brought a lucky save from Tony O’ Dowd, who got down smartly to his left after Martin Russell rifled over a free-kick from the left.
Rovers had a couple of laughable attempts on goal, Sean Francis on 36 minutes blasted the ball over the bar.
St Pat’s boss Dolan made wholesale changes following the cup exit at the hands of Bray Wanderers, so out went Paul Marney, Kevin Doyle and Ger McCarthy allowing Robbie Griffin and Michael Holt to join Robbie McGuinness in Dolan’s side.
Michael Holt, preferred in attack to Ger McCarthy, might have given the Inchicoremen the lead on half-time but couldn’t keep his shot down.
Holt went clear again five minutes after the re-start but O’ Dowd got in a good block before Osam’s shot was deflected out for a corner.
Shamrock Rovers: O’ Dowd; Costello, Palmer, Scully, R. Byrne; Robinson, Colwell, Tracey, Woods; Francis (T. Grant 72), S. Grant.
St Patrick’s Athletic: S. Kelly; Croly, Maguire, Foley, Burke; McGuinness, Osam, Griffin, Russell; Mbabazi (McCarthy 80), Holt.
Referee: Hughie Byrne (Dublin).
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