Saints beat Hoops to blow title race wide open
St Patrick's Athletic defeated Shamrock Rovers in a Dublin derby, significantly impacting the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title race. The victory allows St Pat's to potentially move to the top of the table, while Rovers' lead has been narrowed.
Why it matters
This result shifts the competitive landscape of the Irish football league, creating a tighter race for the championship title.
First-half goals from Jay McClelland and Aidan Keena delivered St Patrick's Athletic a telling victory over champions Shamrock Rovers in a pulsating Dublin derby at Richmond Park to blow the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title race wide open.
Having knocked holders Rovers out of the Club Orange Men's FAI Cup last month, Stephen Kenny’s Saints duly avenged their three league defeats to them earlier this year.
Pat’s can now go top of the table on goal difference should they beat Dundalk at Oriel Park on Monday night, although Rovers, 10 points clear at the summit five weeks ago, will have a game in hand.
That, though, is against arch-rivals Bohemians, who are also now just three points behind after recovering from 2-0 down to beat Galway United 3-2 at Eamonn Deacy Park.
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