In the Premier Division, Shamrock Rovers emerged victorious over Shelbourne, closing the gap to a mere two points with three matches remaining. With Stephen McPhail, the club’s sporting director, viewing from the sidelines along with manager Stephen Bradley, the team’s bid for a quintuple victory was propelled forward by tactful goals from Jack Byrne and Neil Farrugia at the Tallaght Stadium.
McPhail expressed joy following the significant win, saying, “Ecstatic, it was evident from the onset that this was going to be a crucial trinity points at this juncture of the season against a team that has been at the peak of the league for an extended period.”
Further, he confirmed their role in the Premier Division title race, noting, “We’re very much a part of it. There are about five or six potential winners. The power to decide is in other team’s control, we just need to focus on our game.”
Byrne’s first goal since the previous June put the Hoops in the lead in the 18th minute, which was followed by Farrugia’s decisive goal against a resolute Shelbourne. Despite being at the top, Shelbourne have had only one victory in their last ten league games.
Moreover, Farrugia redeemed himself during this match after being dismissed previously in Rovers’ Conference League tie against Apoel. McPhail commented on Jack’s comeback after a severe injury saying they have been gradually building him back up to avoid any potential breakdowns.
He commended both players for their form and skills, he was specifically impressed by Neil’s goal and complimented him on his ability to create advantageous situations and his scoring knack. He elaborated, “He gets into some great positions and we work really hard in training on cutting in on that left foot from the right, it’s a difficult finish but he made it look so easy.”
John O’Sullivan and Seán Gannon, forming half of Shelbourne’s makeshift back four, found themselves outmanoeuvred when Farrugia managed a cross from the endline, leaving Byrne score at the near post. Rovers were on the offensive, threatening a second goal amidst a weak clearance from Mark Coyle that was capitalized upon by Dylan Watts, who pushed Conor Kearns into making a competent save.
Shelbourne, despite being handicapped with five injuries and the suspension of Matty Smith, slowly gained ground in the match and created their best opportunity in the first half at the 28-minute mark. A long ball nodded down by Ali Coote was instantly targeted by Seán Boyd, only for Rovers’ Leon Pohls to respond with an exceptional fingertip save.
Shamrock Rovers’ lacklustre start to the second half ignited some hope in Shelbourne of an unexpected equaliser. Boyd, the prime contributor in Shels’ play, capitalised on Rovers’ back three to target Coote. However, his shot failed to defeat the efficient Pohls. Shortly thereafter, Evan Caffrey’s attempt was effortlessly halted by the German goalkeeper.
Possibly sealing the match just past the hour, Rovers’ Daniel Cleary miscalculated a header on Byrne’s cross and missed the post. The game pivoted dramatically in the last seven minutes where a fine Boyd volley barely missed the crossbar followed by Farrugia’s stride down the pitch that resulted in extending Rovers’ lead, slipping a shot past Kearns.
Shelbourne maintains a narrow two-point lead on Rovers and a four-point lead on Derry City – who have two matches to play – with their hopes for the Premier Division title since 2006 contingent on winning their final three games, concluding with a trip to the Brandywell.
Shelbourne’s manager Damien Duff voiced his disappointment at the outcome, expressing his belief that his team deserved better. “This marks our 12th encounter, it boggles one’s mind losing 2-0 at the champions’ home. We definitely didn’t merit the loss,” stated a confident Duff, who still holds firm belief in his team’s ability to bounce back.
“We remain in the lead, I’m utterly fed up with repeating this in the past months yet it’s still up to us. We’ve got three matches left and, while we have to be aggressive against Waterford, it’s currently difficult to secure any points. If we manage to secure victories in our three matches, we will be declared national champions.”
SHAMROCK ROVERS: L Pohls, S Hoare, R Lopes, D Cleary, J Byrne (Substituted by D Nugent, 83), G O’Neill, D Mandroiu (Substituted by G Burke, 68), D Watts (Substituted by A McEneff, 78), D Burns (Substituted by J Honohan, 68), J Kenny (Substituted by A Greene, 68), N Farrugia.
SHELBOURNE: C Kearns, S Gannon, M Coyle, K Ledwidge, T Wilson, A Coote (Substituted by D Williams, 75), J O’Sullivan, E Caffrey, R Tulloch (Substituted by H Wood, 62), S Boyd, J Martin (Substituted by D Ring, 91).
Match official: N Doyle.