Shamrock Rovers 0 St Patrick's Athletic 0:St Patrick's Athletic missed the chance to reclaim top spot but, considering their opponent's form of late, they can't be too disheartened to remain second this morning.
Third-placed Rovers continue to confound the doubters and are very much involved in the title shake-up, albeit with a stretch of games still remaining. But while clear-cut chances were limited it's a wonder how this game remained scoreless.
Rovers manager Pat Scully stressed ahead of the game how his side must now capitalise on their good fortune and lofty position.
Owing to a run of form that saw them unbeaten in eight league games ahead of this tie, bookmakers installed his side as narrow favourites and Rovers justified those odds for long spells. Still, St Patrick's were formidable opponents and were game until the death.
The pace at which the locals initially attacked their opponents set the tone for the encounter. Wingers David Cassidy and David Tyrell were particularly impressive and their direct running, and subsequent crosses, unnerved St Patrick's three-man defence.
No matter what role across the middle Cassidy has been asked to fill this season his vision and deliveries have served his side well. Three times in the opening half hour he had the measure of Dave Rogers and on each occasion he picked out a team-mate.
Tyrell, though, saw his shot blocked by Barry Ryan while Ger Rowe had more time on his side than he realised when skewing the ball over from a promising position.
Neither Eric McGill nor Danny O'Connor were playing that badly for Rovers in the centre, but still they were out-muscled against a tenacious trio in Keith Fahey, Billy Gibson and Michael Keane.
They grafted hard, tackled harder and their subsequent distribution set the visitors on the front foot.
St Patrick's pushed hard for a 10-minute spell just after the half hour mark. But despite their endeavour and neatness of touch, the Rovers defenders comfortably dealt with what came their way.
Frustratingly, too, for the travelling fans was the manner in which Mark Quigley was isolated up front. Neither he or strike partner Ryan Guy profited from the neat approach play as Barry Ferguson and Dean Lawrence imposed.
Rovers, though, were soon back carving and creating. Cassidy again to the fore before his substitution having drained every ounce of energy from his body. O'Connor and McGill also stepped up their game after the break and consequently St Patrick's were less imposing.
Eight minutes after the restart Rovers were preparing to celebrate. Tadhg Purcell climbed superbly to meet Tyrell's corner and his angled header had Ryan flummoxed. But Stephen Brennan was well positioned on the line and stooped low to deny a deserved lead for the home side.
But St Patrick's mustered a strong finish, pushing Rovers ever deeper, and Barry Murphy's stunning save prevented Quigley from sending his side back on top of the league.
SHAMROCK ROVERS:Murphy; O'Brien, Lawrence, Ferguson, Pender, Cassidy (Amond, 70 mins), Danny O'Connor, E McGill (D McGill, 63; Tyrell (Dave O'Connor, 56); Rowe, Purcell. Booked:Rowe (13), Pender (15).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC:Ryan; Brennan, Paisley (Frost, 53), Maguire, Rogers; Murphy, Gibson, Keane, Fahey; Guy (Barker, 82), Quigley. Booked:Frost (72).
Referee: A Buttimer(Cork)
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