Rovers back to winning ways
SHAMROCK Rovers returned to winning ways last Friday night with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sligo Rovers in Dublin 24, while St Patrick’s Athletic failed to capitalize on an out of form Dundalk, coming away from Oriel Park Friday night forfeiting three points and settling for one.
6,059 watched on from the stands of Tallaght stadium on Friday where Shamrock Rovers delivered a match winning performance in a one side football affair.
It took just 36 minutes for Graham Burke to open the scoring for the hoops with a wonder strike from outside the box on what was his 200th appearance in green and white.
Shamrock Rovers continued to press the Sligo defence, dominating the play with the lions share of possession (67%) and an impressive 11 shots on target throughout the battle.
It was 34-year-old Aaron Greene who put the game to bed with late two goals in the second half, securing all three points bringing his side to third place with 15 points, just 6 behind Damien Duff’s Shelbourne who currently sit at the top of the table aiming to upset the hoops’ drive for five.
Venturing north to Dundalk, the saints took a trip to Louth on friday, where they appeared to struggled to settle into the game on the night.
With all the chopping and changing this side has seen since the beginning of the season it comes as no surprise that the start of their 2024 season has been a bit shaky.
With the recent introduction of goalkeeper Danny Rogers to the starting line-up after replacing Liverpool loan signing Pitaluga, who conceded 6 goals in his opening four games at the club along with the recent demotion of striker Ruairi Keating who signed from Cork City after racking up an impressive score tally last season, for 18-year-old Mason Melia, it’s no wonder the side doesn’t appear compatible on the field.
The closest opportunity either side got on goal was a wasted 1 on 1 opportunity by St Pats, when a through ball from Jamie Lennon got stuck beneath the feet of Mason Melia, who ultimately ballooned the ball over the bar.
The 0-0 result on most occasions would suffice when away from home, but failing to capitalize on Dundalk and the run of form they are currently in could be detrimental come the end of the season.
Tomorrow, St Pats welcome Waterford to Richmond Park while Shamrock Rovers take a trip up north to Derry where they will battle it out in the Brandywell stadium.
