Cool Shels in control as Pats fall apart

Shelbourne 3 St. Patrick’s Athletic 1

Shelbourne moved five points clear at the top of the table as St. Pat’s lost their heads to finish with nine men.

A cracking first goal of the season from Jim Crawford gave Shels the lead on 15 minutes.

Stuart Byrne laid Wes Hoolahan’s ball off for Crawford who found the top left corner of the net from 25 yards.

Jason Byrne added the second on 65 minutes when firing home a Jamie Harris knock down from Alan Cawley’s free-kick.

St. Pat’s Keith Fahey was then dismissed for dissent before Mark Quinless gave them a lifeline with a goal on 75 minutes.

But Ger McCarthy sealed Shels' win a minute from time. Des Byrne then became the second St. Pat’s player to be sent off for dissent in the final minute.