Maher goal keeps Pat’s in control

St Patrick’s Athletic 1 Shelbourne 0

Buoyed by their 4-0 derby triumph over Shamrock Rovers a week previously, the hosts started brightly, with Christopher Forrester finding space inside the area to shoot a low shot straight at Niall Burdon from 14 yards in the 3rd minute.

That pressure was maintained, with the Saints appearing to have genuine grounds for a penalty eight minutes later as Killian Brennan tumbled under a challenge from Stephen Hurley, but their appeals were dismissed by referee Paul McLaughlin.