Soccer: Drab draw fails to dampen champions’ spirit

Shamrock Rovers 1 Shelbourne 1

A Jason Byrne penalty and an equaliser by Stephen McGuinness lightened up an otherwise disappointing game that, while never turning into a dull end of season affair, never really caught the imagination either.

Shelbourne did most of the early running and could have taken the lead in the 16th minute when Stuart Byrne’s near-post header from a Richie Baker corner needed to be cleared off the line by Jason Colwell.

And eight minutes later, Shelbourne took the lead courtesy of a Jason Byrne penalty.

Stuart Byrne raced clear onto a Baker pass and was upended by goalkeeper Shane Davoren on the edge of the box. Referee Ian Stokes awarded a penalty and Jason Byrne converted.

The goal sparked Rovers into life and they began to play with a purpose that they were lacking in the opening minutes. Steve Williams did well to tip over a Stephen Grant free kick in the 30th minute.

And from the resulting corner, Stephen Grant flashed a shot across the face of the goal while Tony McCarthy needed to make a vital interception to stop a James Keddy cross reaching Molloy as Rovers looked to turn their dominance into goals.

But with Jason Byrne in attack, Shelbourne were never going to found wanting and the striker almost grabbed a second goal just before the break when he brilliantly turned on the left before forcing Davoren into a save.

The Shelbourne striker should have made it 2-0 early in the second half when he blazed over and the champions were punished for the miss in the 55th minute. It was McGuinness who scored the goal for Rovers’ when he rose unchallenged at the far post to head home Stephen Grant’s inswinging left-wing corner.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Davoren; Croly, McGuinness, Doyle, Keddy; Robinson, Tracey, Colwell, S Grant; T Grant, Molloy. Sub: Boughanem for Colwell (55 mins)

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Doherty, T McCarthy, Rogers; Baker, S Byrne, Crawford, Cahill; J Byrne, Harris.Subs: Morgan for Crawford (half time), Geoghegan for Harris (55 mins), G McCarthy for J Byrne (60 mins).

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).