As it happened: St Pat’s hold Shamrock Rovers in Dublin derby thriller
Mason Melia is lifted in celebration by his St Patrick's Athletic team-mate Luke Turner after scoring their side's second goal during the SSE Airtricity Premier Division match against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Luke Turner of St Patrick's Athletic heads his side's equaliser against Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division match at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Keep up to date on all of tonight’s League of Ireland action with some huge games in both the Premier and First Division.
Another bumper crowd is expected at Tallaght Stadium where Shamrock Rovers take on St Patrick’s Athletic in a Dublin derby with a lot riding on it. Rovers are seeking to bounce back from their shock defeat to Waterford last Monday, while St Pat’s are hoping for better fortunes following the sacking of manager Jon Daly after Monday’s loss to Sligo Rovers.
Damien Duff takes his table-topping Shelbourne side into action against Drogheda United at Tolka Park, while Bohemians make the long trip to take on Derry City.
- Shels held to a draw by Drogheda, meaning their lead at the top is down to a single point.
- Michael Duffy, a 68th-minute substitute, produces the goods late on to hand second-placed Derry an important win.
- A point apiece for Shamrock Rovers and St Pat's, leaving the Hoops in third and the Saints in seventh.
- What a night for Maleace Asamoah, whose hat-trick helps Waterford to a third consecutive win as the Blues replace Galway in fourth. Bottom side Dundalk are now six points off Drogheda.
- The Tribesmen and Sligo Rovers play out a stalemate in the Connacht derby.
Aidan Fitzmaurice: Final whistle at Tolka Park and it finishes 1-1, Damien Duff and Shels will be frustrated by what they will see as time-wasting by the away side but the Reds did not do enough to win the game and are now just one point ahead of Derry City.
Seven minutes of added time in Tolka Park and it's still 1-1, Shels pressing hard for the winner but Andrew Wogan in the Drogheda goal looks comfortable.
Dan McDonnell: It's all over in Tallaght, a thrilling 2-2 draw that has delivered greater joy to the travelling support amid fresh rumours that their number one target Stephen Kenny is open for more discussions.
Caretaker Seán O'Connor will be chuffed with how his side responded from a shaky opening. For Rovers, it means one point from a Tallaght week where they would have expected six.
The concession of five goals will be a big talking point.
85 minutes have been played as Michael Duffy pops up with what could be a winner for the home side at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.
Having seen his shot initially blocked, the winger rifles in the second attempt.
Bohs manager Alan Reynolds will be devastated.
7,073 is the official attendance in Tallaght as the 90th minute approaches. Alex Nolan introduced for Melia in Pat's last throw of the dice.
