St Pats claim derby spoils over Shamrock Rovers

St Patrick’s Athletic 2 Shamrock Rovers 1: Holders St Patrick’s Athletic kept their cup ambitions alive when defeating local rivals Shamrock Rovers by 2-1 in their FAI Cup second round encounter at Richmond Park last night.

Given that both sides have seen their league title ambitions dampened due to Dundalk’s impressive start to the campaign, the importance of the tie was not lost on either side in a frantic opening.

Within two minutes, Michael Drennan was released through on goal from Jason McGuinness’s misplaced pass but a lack of composure culminated in a rushed effort that veered well wide of Brendan Clarke’s left-hand upright.