A much-contested Dublin Derby

Saint Patrick’s Athletic and the Shamrock Rovers are once again the headliners in their recent meeting scheduled on a rare Friday night match- in the always contested and much disputed Dublin Derby.

With the Pats being out of contention in both league and European race, even tough for Liam Buckley and his lads as always these matches are considered as vital and important of who will net the bragging rights as the top bunch in Eire’s capital.

On the Hoops side these being on fourth place and still in contention with eight matches left in the Airtricity League and seeking in what looks like a reachable European spot with five points behind  Derry City.

The close chase for this spot took a turn for the worst as the Rovers where prey to an inspired Candystripes 11 last week, falling at home to a score of 1-0 and the Northern Boys were taking a five point advantage out of them.

Once again, the Hoops fortunes were on their side as their hosting of this event was going once again too disputed but with the advantage of playing at their home turf Tallaght Stadium.

As the Hoops saw, their fortunes turn into a miscue and seeing an encore of their last match, the only difference was that this time they came face to face with a brick wall in the Pats goalie Connor O’ Malley who really shined in this entire match.

After denying the home squad strikers any chances of causing havoc and trying to net three easy points, the Rovers ended up just one point at the end and not gain any ground over the Derry City Boys.

For the Hoops Boss Stephen Bradley strategies came flat over their cross-town rivals, even though he sent his already known 3-5-2 formation sending his dynamic striking duo in Gary Boyd and Sean Clark, which was not enough to penetrate a well-defended Saints backfield and posts.

Do not count the Hoops stingy defense with its three defenders and five midfielders is that combination too became very lethal for the visiting Saints and its frontal attack formed by a lone striker in Dinny Corcoran who little he did for his St. Pats cause.

The Saints Boss after playing with a traditional diamond formation of 4-2-3-1 they too were victims of the course and twist this game at the end offered in both squads getting clean sheets in their goalies and sharing the points.

As Craig Hyland, the Hoops and Connor O’ Malley the Saints both of these keepers’ kudos for offering an awesome spectacle as well their determination and inspiration for a one of a kind match, although it lacked the essential ingredient, the goal.

For the Shamrock Rovers or Cumann Peile Ruagairí na Seamróige, their prospects are looking a bit dim as thier next compromises these need to really put on the accelerator if they are to aspire for  another European adventure.

Very well with a league compromise against Galway United and going to always difficult Eamonn Dealy Park  and returning to Tallaght to host the always hardened and tough rated Cork City in their FAI Cup quarterfinals compromise.

For the Saint Patrick’s Athletic or  Cumann Peile Lúthchleas Phádraig Naofa their league compromises agasint Bray Wanderers and Dundalk a match that maybe to be postponed due to the Lilywhites international compromises in the Europa League.

At the end the Dublin Derby became a defensive contest and with both squads playing a bit conservative and with lots of caution.

Post Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved 

Photos Credit and Property of © Shamrock Rovers Football Club 2016

Photos Credit and Property of © Independent.ie 2016

Photos Credit and Property of © Airtricity League of Ireland 2016 All Rights Reserved