SHELBOURNE'S league ambitions are over for another season following this dramatic 4-3 defeat at St Mels Park last, St Patrick's Athletic, winning Shelbourne no longer can catch the Inchicore side, and their only chance for further success this season remains with the FAI Cup Final on May 6th.

Athlone took the lead after just 19 minutes. Donal Golden easily beat Declan Geoghegan on the right wing to send in the perfect cross for a diving, Michael Collins to head past, Alan Gough.in the Shelbourne goal inside the six yard box.

Shelbourne were level on the half hour when Stephen Geoghegan volleyed home from close in after Gary Howlett had headed down Dave Tilson's looping cross.

With nine minutes to go in the first half Golden restored Athlone's lead with a superb strike after he was given far too much room to bear down on Gough's goal.

Athlone went further ahead eight minute's into the second half through Tommy Gaynor. Michael Collins played a clever ball over the top of the visitors defence which Ray McLoughlin ran onto.

McLoughlin showed great calmness in bringing the ball past Gough to cross for Gaynor who headed into an empty net.

In between the home side had the ball in the net on two further occasions in either half but both efforts were ruled out by referee Denis McArdle for somewhat dubious infringements.

During an amazing final 10 minutes there were three further goals but Shelbourne were unable to get back on level terms. In the 82nd minute John O'Rourke reduced the arrears, to a single goal when he tapped home Tilson's cross at the far post but, a superb strike from the edge of the box by Michael Collins in the 85th minute restored Athlone's two goal cushion.

The scoring was complete in the 89th minute when Mick Byrne added a third for the visitors but by then it was too late.