“A triumphant week for Irish football marked by the success of the Shelbourne, led by Damien Duff. The team began the week claiming victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park and concluded their success by delivering a blow to reigning champions Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght.
The week’s football activities were rich with occurrences worth documenting.
Award of note, Dundalk received an Emmy for their enthralling story of ‘One-Armed Wonder: Jimmy Hasty.’
Football is a moving picture, not just a static shot,” stated Xabi Alonso, from Meath, earlier this week. His statement came before Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-0 defeat by Atalanta in the Europa League final, which was held in a strongly guarded Lansdowne Road. The sound from Italian and German football fanatics offered an insight into a different football universe.
Both the Rovers and South Dublin County Council have made major strides in revitalising Irish football by constructing a stadium with a 10,000 seats at Whitestown Way. They chalked up an impressive attendance of 12,307 between Monday to Friday.
Shelbourne is also showing their dedication, having announced a mid-week investment from Tech tycoons Neil and Cathal Doyle meant to breathe new life into Tolka Park.
In the meantime, Shelbourne has pushed its lead at the Premier Division’s helm to a six-point advantage, making them nine-points clear of the Rovers.
At the outset of the game, Shelbourne’s victory seemed inevitable. First half saw Will Jarvis scoring a penalty which resulted from Pico Lopes’s foul against Matty Smith, putting Shels up by 1-0. Much to Rovers’ dismay, a skimming ball across the box missed by Johnny Kenny failed to even the score.
Despite sustaining injuries, Jack Byrne persisted to start his third game, however, the same couldn’t be said for Rovers’ Trevor Clarke, Josh Honohan and Daniel Cleary, who all had to bow out before half time.
Duff assigned Sean Boyd to the bench while selecting a formation of 4-3-3 during possession and 5-3-2 without it. The manager required consistent efforts from his attacking triad, namely, John O’Sullivan, Smith and Jarvis.
The manager closely worked with O’Sullivan, instructing him to switch to the left back role on moments notice, His 56-minute work is key for the fluid operation of the Shels’ system.
The game could be likened to an untamed Western film. In Act I, Scene I, Clarke’s shot finds the post before he’s issued a yellow card for a rash tackle on O’Sullivan. Shels are put under significant pressure by Byrne and Burke. Despite the clear chances, Kenny misses the target. The first penalty goes in favour of Shels after Smith is fouled by Pico, who also earns a booking. Jarvis safely converts the spot-kick, beating goalkeeper Pohls.
Act I, Scene II sees Rovers dealing with injuries. Despite the setbacks, Burke closely misses equalising. Cleary is forced out due to injury, replaced by Grace. Shortly after Honohan is booked for a foul on Jarvis. He’s subbed out for McEneff as part one wraps with Clarke injured. Beloved Kenny fails again in scoring a well-delivered cross from Farrugia. Poom battles an injury to prevent Jarvis from a clean shot at the goal.
Act II, Scene I: A combination play between Smith and Jarvis results in another penalty when Smith is brought down by Lopes, who receives a red card for a second booking. Jarvis smashes the penalty into the top of the net. The lead is now two goals.
In the end, Shels have everyone else figured out. A delightful Duff plants a congratulatory kiss on Jarvis’ cheek and encourages the ecstatic travelling fans to “stay calm.”
Shamrock Rovers: Pohls; Honohan (McEneff, 34), Lopes, Cleary (Grace, 28); Farrugia, Poom, Nugent, Clarke (Greene, 45); Byrne (Noonan, 82), Burke; Kenny.
Game officials at Shelbourne were: Kearns, alongside Gannon, Barrett, Molloy, and Ledwidge. However, Lunney was later substituted for Williams in the 76th minute and Caffrey was replaced by Farrell in the game’s 91st minute. Conversely, O’Sullivan made room for Wilson just shy of the hour mark while Boyd stepped in for Jarvis in the 72nd minute. Moreover, Smith was succeeded by Hakiki in the 76th. The individual appointed referee was none other than Paul McLaughlin.