St Pat's beat Shamrock Rovers to move within three points of summit
Aidan Keena of St Patrick's Athletic celebrates after scoring his side's second goal. Pic: Eakin Howard/Sportsfile
After Stephen Kenny cited Imran Khan as an inspiration beforehand, victory for his St Patrick’s Athletic side has left the title defence of Shamrock Rovers on a sticky wicket.
This first league victory of the season over the Hoops cuts the gap to three points, presenting motivation to snare top spot on Monday, should the Saints prevail at Kenny’s former club Dundalk.
By losing to Waterford last time out in the league, nothing short of victory would suffice for Kenny’s crew to remain in the hunt for a first title since 2013 and they delivered with aplomb.
Jay McClelland’s cushioned volley into the roof of the net after just three minutes generated lift-off and they supplemented that opening spree by adding a second on 34 through Aidan Keena’s instinctive finish on the swivel.
Defeat for Rovers extends their winless sequence to seven matches.
That includes their European and FAI Cup exits but the freefall has stumped the champions as they face into the final six matches of the campaign.
Bohemians have also joined Pat’s in the title equation, their comeback to win in Galway elevating them too within sight of the leaders.
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While Pat’s are finished with Rovers, the meeting of Bohemians and the Hoops at Tallaght on October 13 – the last of three home games – promises to be pivotal.
Preparations by Rovers were hindered as kick-off approached with news of Enda Stevens withdrawing during the warm-up, with the injured ex-Ireland defender replaced by Dan Cleary.
That backline was soon exposed in front of a crowd that remained raucous despite the partial stand closure due to recent disturbances against Rovers and Waterford.
One whipped-in cross from the right by Jamie Lennon dissected the Rovers defence, enabling McClelland to ghost in behind Waterford native Tunmise Sobowale at the back post to supply the exquisite connection.
Rovers struggled for fluidity, relying on Jack Byrne’s specialist crosses to perforate the stubborn rearguard.
From a trademark, inswinging delivery on 24 minutes, Pico Lopes managed to nick his volley goalward, only to be denied by the other LOI player on World Cup duty, Joseph Anang, in the Pat’s goal.
It proved a decisive spell for Lopes as the free-kick he conceded, which incurred a booking, instigated the second goal.
McClelland was one of the assistants on this occasion, curling in a cross that found its way to Zack Elbouzedi.
His dribble past Will Fitzgerald to the endline led to a cutback which Keenan gobbled up by spinning on his heel and finishing with a shot from close range.
Ed McGinty was helpless to concede that one but the goalkeeper stood tall within two minutes when 17-year-old Ryan Sheridan raced clear on goal but saw his shot batted away.
Had former Saint Jake Mulraney or Cleary kept their efforts on target midway through the second half, a tense climax would have ensued, yet Pat’s were worthy winners.
What seemed last week to be a cakewalk for Rovers towards a sixth title in seven years has developed into an epic tussle at the turn.
Kudos to Pat’s and Bohs for making it interesting - off their own bat.
J Anang; J Redmond, S Hoare, L Turner; Z Elbouzedi (J Brown 67), J Lennon, B Baggley, J McClelland (A Breslin 78); R Sheridan (C Forrester 72), A Keena (A Olusanya 67); R Edmondson (R Palmer 67).
E McGinty; D Cleary (J McGovern 67), L Grace, P Lopes; T Sobowale (A Brennan HT), D Watts, M Healy, W Fitzgerald; J Byrne (J Mulraney 57), G Burke (J O’Sullivan 72); M Noonan (J Afolabi 67).
Rob Hennessy (Clare).
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