Rovers open six point lead as they see off champions Shelbourne

WINNER: Josh Honohan scored an own goal in the first half but sealed the winner for Rovers late in the second half. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Shelbourne 1 (Honohan 32’ (OG)) Shamrock Rovers 2 (Cleary 12’, Honohan 83’)

League leaders Shamrock Rovers overcame Champions Shelbourne to open up a 12-point gap over their Dublin rivals.

An excellent Dan Cleary header put the visitors ahead early on, but recent Ireland International call-up Josh Honohan put into his own net with the game finely poised at the break. But with six minutes of normal time left, Honohan smashed home the winner to secure bragging rights. If the anticipation of a couple of week break before a massive Ringsend Derby wasn’t enough, both managers' spiky relationship this season added even more spice to a mouthwatering encounter at a sold out Tolka Park.

With both managers boasting full strength squads to pick from, the Reds boss Damien Duff deployed full back Tyreke Wilson in a midfield role to try and man-mark the influential Jack Byrne, who had been back to his scintillating best before the mid season hiatus.

But while Wilson was quick to close Byrne down in open play, there was nothing he could do when the Rovers midfield maestro was allowed to deliver a free kick from the right hand side, putting his delivery right on the money as Dan Cleary powered home a header after just 12-minutes.

With the intriguing shadowing job continuing, it also just allowed Rovers' cast of talented midfielders a little extra space when in possession. One of which was Danny Mandroiu who had a couple of sighters from distance.

Despite almost toying with the home side at times and becoming a bit too comfortable, it was the Champions who levelled on the half hour mark.

Kameron Ledwidge burst down the left and whipped in a dangerous ball to the back and, under pressure from Evan Caffrey, Josh Honohan got his bearings all wrong as he folded awkwardly and headed past Ed McGinty into his own bottom corner.

The game had properly caught fire now in a more even contest with full blooded challenges flying in.

Referee Rob Harvey, who wasn’t exactly on the Shels fans Christmas card list after awarding Bohs what turned out to be a match winning penalty and sending off two Reds players at Dalymount back in May, flashed yellows in quick succession - including one for Damien Duff - to try and turn down the pressure cooker.

On the stroke of half time Conor Kearns justified his recall over Lorcan Healy, who hadn’t put a foot wrong to his credit, as the Shels number one made an incredible stop to get down sharply and deny Danny Grant from close range.

The hosts went close to getting in front just minutes after the break when Jack Byrne brought down Mark Coyle in a dangerous position just outside the area.

Kerr McInroy took responsibility and instead of clipping the ball over the wall, reversed his shot low to McGinty’s side, narrowly missing the bottom corner.

Minutes later Rovers really should have been ahead when wingback Grant delivered a pinpoint cross right on to the head of the unmarked McEneff but the midfielder, with the goal at his mercy, headed straight at the grateful Kearns who didn’t have to move.

It was time for the dynamic duo of Sean Boyd and Mipo Odubeko to enter the fray as the home side chased a winner and hoped to close the gap on Rovers at the top.

The strength of both benches were unleashed with 20-minutes to go as both sensed a three points were there for the taking.

One of which, Dylan Watts, thought he had helped put his side ahead when he found Cleary free at the back post - who powered home his header - but saw the goal ruled out for a foul on Sean Boyd by Aaron Greene in close proximity.

As the game entered the dying embers, Josh Honohan more than made up for his earlier discretion as he rifled home a stunning winner into the top corner, following some pinball in the Shels area after to take all three points back to Tallaght.

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Sean Gannon, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge; Evan Caffrey, Tyreke Wilson (Harry Wood, 69’), Mark Coyle (JJ Lunney, 69’), Kerr McInroy (Ali Coote, 81’), Ellis Chapman (Mipo Odubeko, 57’), James Norris; John Martin (Sean Boyd, 57’) 

Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, John O’Sullivan, Daniel Kelly, Lewis Temple 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Adam Matthews (Lee Grace, 6’) ; Danny Grant, Aaron McEneff, Matt Healy, Jack Byrne (Graham Burke, 69’), Josh Honohan (Trevor Clarke, 86’); Danny Mandroiu (Dylan Watts, 69’), Rory Gaffney (Aaron Greene, 69’) 

Subs not used: Leon Pohls, Darragh Nugent, John O’Sullivan, Michael Noonan 

Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin)