Late Grant goal boosts Rovers

Late Grant goal boosts Rovers

Shamrock Rovers 1-0 St Patrick’s Ath
A goal from Tony Grant four minutes from time gave Shamrock Rovers a win that took them within a point of Shelbourne at the top of the Premier Division table.

The match-up between tenants Rovers and their stadium landlords looked odds-on to end all square before Grant grabbed the winner, capitalizing on a rare fumble by Saints keeper Chris Adamson from James Keddy’s corner to find the net.

Pats had been in command everywhere but the scoresheet for much of the evening, with Paul Osam - who is terminally in doubt for matches because of his troublesome, long-standing knee injury - dictating the play from his central midfield role.

Charles Mbabazi Livingstone was causing all sorts of problems down the right flank, and he could have scored from a David Freeman cross in the first half.

Six minutes after the break, Tony Bird did find the net - but the effort was ruled out by a linesman’s flag.

Trevor Molloy close to opening the scoring with his first involvement after being introduced, but the Hoops wouldn’t regret the miss, Grant popping up for the winner at the death.

Shamrock Rovers: Ryan, Gough, Keddy, Palmer, Byrne, Robinson (Molloy, 65), Colwell, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick (Lacey, 80), T. Grant (Deans, 89), S. Grant.

St Patrick’s Ath: C Adamson, Donnelly (Dunne, 87), El Khebyr (Casey, 67), Prendeville, Maguire, Fahy, Murphy, Osam, Livingstone, Bird, Freeman (George, 80).

Referee: D McKeon.


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