Shamrock Rovers top the table according to Ollie Byrne but everyone knows the real leaders both on and off the pitch are still Saint Patrick's Athletic FC. Robbed of 9 points by Shelbourne's malicious appeal of an excellent ruling by the FAI the Saints started the recovery in somewhat ropey fashion as the expected backlash failed to materialise in an abysmal first half played against a blustery wind and an unadventurous counter attacking Hoops at Richmond Park.
Rovers took the lead on 8 minutes as Sean Francis dived to nod a Billy Woods cross into the net at the shed end. That silenced the home support and the home team made hard work of chasing the equaliser against a stiff breeze and commanding Rovers defence of ex-Shels defenders Scully and Costello and young Richie Byrne.
In the 41st minute, Paul Osam and Babaz combined to release Robbie Griffin for St Pat’s first goal-scoring chance, but the former UCD man whacked his shot well over the bar.
Two minutes later, Rovers nearly snatched a second goal. Greg Costello unleashed an unlikely 30 yard piledriver. Shay Kelly was equal to the task and was able to palm it over the bar with ease. The Pat's defence gave the Saints fans a few more near heart attacks as Woods swung in the resultant corner and Pat Scully outjumped all around him but powered his header just over the target. It was a let off for the Saints but an abysmal first half was all set to end on a high for the Inchicore faithfull.
The portly Costello dropped his header short to Tony O'Dowd. Liam Kelly was quickest to react and he took out the chip wedge to loop a ball high over the ‘keeper’s head, but his shot was going wide until Livingstone ghosted in at the backpost to divert it into the net. Pathetic Rovers defending and excellent forward thinking by Kelly and Babaz combining to send the Camac side into ecstacy as they continued to give the silent Rovers section a slagging throughout halftime.
Three minutes after the break, St Pat’s restored the true order in Dublin football with a classic working of the famous Martin Russell - Paul Osam one-two from a free-kick.
Rovers abandoned their negative counter-attacking strategy and they did create several chances. Kelly pulled off a point-blank save from Tony Grant, but was helpless moments later when Scully crashed a header off the foot of St Pat’s post.
St Pat’s too, had chances to increase their lead. Substitute Ger McCarthy twice went close, the first time after 77 minutes when, despite an acute angle, he directed a fierce low shot on target, but O’Dowd just about held his ground as Rovers started to crumble. Two minutes later, McCarthy did succeed in beating O’Dowd but his 25 yard shot flew inches wide.
Rovers have beaten all the main Dublin sides this season but as usual fell at the home of Dublin's greatest club. Three points back already, are you watching Oliver Byrne?
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Kelly; Croly, Foley, Maguire, Burke (Donnelly, 18 mins), Marney, Osam, Russell (Doyle, 85 mins), Mbabazi, Kelly, Griffin (McCarthy, 80 mins).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Costello, Scully, Palmer, Byrne, Kenny, Colwell, Deans (Robinson, 74 mins), Woods, T Grant (Cousins, 74 mins), Francis (S Grant, 84 mins).
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
