Bolger on target as St Pat’s stay in the hunt

Greg Bolger’s first-half goal kept St Patrick’s Athletic very much in title contention as they outplayed Shelbourne at Richmond Park to remain four points behind leaders Sligo.

St Patrick’s started brightly and were ahead on nine minutes when Bolger’s tame-looking header from Ger O’Brien’s delivery from the right looped over ‘keeper Dean Delany and into the net.

With Shelbourne a bag of nerves at the back, Christy Fagan might have made it 2-0 on 14 minutes. Played in by Bolger, the striker shot directly at Delany, who saved well with his legs.

Alan Mathews’ disjointed-looking side didn’t register an effort on goal until 27 minutes when skipper David Cassidy’s free-kick was deflected off the wall for a corner.

But in a very one-sided first half, the action resumed at the other end with Bolger blazing over the top.

Shelbourne then came within inches of levelling on 58 minutes but Philly Hughes’ header crashed back off the crossbar.

Shels played out the last six minutes with 10 men when left-back Barry Clancy was sent off for a rash challenge on O’Brien.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Clarke; O’Brien, Kenna, Browne, Bermingham; Bolger, Chambers, Forrester (Carroll 46); D Kelly, Fagan, Meenan.

SHELBOURNE: Delany; Ryan (Matthews 23), Shortall, Paisley, Clancy; C Byrne (Gorman 80), Cassidy, Dawson, Kavanagh; Hughes, P Byrne (Hurley 46).

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).