Pat's too strong for Rovers in Dublin derby

Shamrock Rovers 0 St. Patrick's Athletic 1

An early Tony Bird goal was enough to give St. Patrick's a vital second win of the season as they inflicted a third successive defeat on Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park.

St. Pat's winner came from a typical set piece on 12 minutes when Martin Russell's free-kick was headed home by Bird.

Rovers were frustrated in the first half, having a goal disallowed while Noel Hunt shaved the crossbar in stoppage time.

Rovers enjoyed a lot of possession throughout the second half but lacked penetration.

The closest they came to an equaliser again fell to the lively Hunt who brought a good save from Shay Kelly.