Saint Patricks Athletic retained their one point lead at the
top of the Airtricity League Premier Division table thanks to Stephen Maher's
first half winner against Shelbourne at Inchicore on Friday night.
In a first half that was played in bright sunshine, the home
side had claims for a penalty in the 11th minute. Killian Brennan
went down in the area after a challenge from Stephen Hurley. However referee
Paul McLaughlin didn't give anything.
Shelbourne looked comfortable for most of the first half and
they had a couple of chances of their own. In the 22nd minute Sean
Brennan took a corner from the left. Brendan Clarke punched clear. It reached
Glenn Cronin outside the area. The Shels captain took a shot which wasn't far
wide.
On the half hour mark the visitors will feel that they should
have taken the lead. After fine build up play involving Lee Murtagh, Stephen
Hurley crossed from the left. He found Dean Kelly free in the 6 yard box. Kelly
looked certain to score but somehow Brendan Clarke blocked his shot with his
body.
Shels were made to pay for that miss 10 minutes later. Greg
Bolger played a fantastic crossfield ball from left to right to Conan Byrne who
got inside Derek Doyle. Niall Burdon came off his line before Doyle made the
tackle. The ball broke to Stephen Maher who put it into the empty net from
about 20 yards out to give Pats the lead.
They nearly added a second just before half time. Anthony
Flood advanced towards the edge of the area and chipped it over Burdon but the
ball just went over the crossbar.
In the 57th minute Pats had another chance. Chris
Forrester showed terrific skill on the right edge of the area before playing it
back to Stephen Maher. Maher scuffed his first shot but got a second bite of
the cherry. He eventually shot wide from 8 yards out.
Around the midway point of the second half the home side had
a couple of chances in the space of a minute. First off Chris Forrester hit the
ball across the face of goal and moments later substitute Christy Fagan fired
wide from the edge of the area.
However the visitors continued to be a threat from set
pieces. In the 70th minute the home side failed to properly clear a
corner. Graham Gartland headed the ball back into the danger area and Derek
Doyle was in space. He tried to turn and volley it towards goal but missed his
kick.
Then in the 75h minute left back Ian Bermingham played a nice
little ball in from the edge of the area. Conan Byrne, playing against his
former club, dived in low to get his head to it but the ball just ended up on
the wrong side of the net.
Shels came close again from a corner 7 minutes from time.
Sean Brennan picked outR obert Cornwall who was free in the area and the
defender tried his luck with a volley but it was too high.
Right back Ger O'Brien then found himself in space and got
his shot away but Niall Burdon came out to block his shot. Just a minute later
Burdon dived low to his right to deny Killian Brennan from a free kick.
Both sides were guilty of giving the ball away in a frantic
final few minutes. Shelbourne threw Gartland forward but couldn't create a
chance. Liam Buckley's side held on for the win which keeps them a point clear
of Dundalk at the top of the table. Shelbourne look like they are going to be
involved in a relegation battle the end of the season.
Saint Patricks Athletic: Brendan Clarke: Ger O'Brien,
Kenny Browne, Conor Kenna (c), Ian Bermingham: Conan Byrne, Greg Bolger,
Stephen Maher (Sean Gannon 85), Killian Brennan, Chris Forrester (Jake Kelly
82): Anthony Flood (Christy Fagan 61).
Subs not used: Rene Gilmartin, Aidan Price, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Daryl Kavanagh.
Booked: Greg Bolger (8)
Shelbourne: Niall Burdon: Robert Cornwall, Graham
Gartland, Ian Ryan, Derek Doyle: Adam Hanlon Glenn Cronin (c), Stephen Hurley (Gareth O'Connor 72), Sean
Brennan: Lee Murtagh (Jamie NcGlynn 58), Dean Kelly (Darren Tinnelly 79)
Subs not used: Charlie Treacy, Brian Gannon, Paul
Andrews, Carl Walsh.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
Attendance: 1,846
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