After their long awaited return, the Champions showed no signs of rust as Shamrock Rovers go hunting for their seventh title in eight years.
Shamrock Rovers 2
St. Patrick’s Athletic 0
It was third time’s the charm this evening for Shamrock Rovers who enjoyed ideal conditions for the inaugural fixture of their 2026 League of Ireland season. The hoops have had to sit on their hands for the past two weeks having seen their previous two fixtures postponed due to poor weather conditions.
Their guests, St.Patricks Athletic will also have been eager to gain some momentum. After a dreary 0-0 draw against Bohemians away in the Aviva on the opening day, The Saints also saw their Matchday 2 fixture postponed.
Despite their delayed start to the season, the hosts showed little rustiness in the opening few minutes of the derby. Victor Ozhianvuna and Adam Brennan combining on a number of occasions down the left-hand side for the hoops.
Former Pats man Jake Mulraney was heavily involved in the opening minutes, finding himself in a good position on the left-wing following a quick counter-attack, only to overhit a cross out for a goal kick – resulting in booming jeers and whistles from the travelling support.
Rovers continued to dominate possession as the half progressed: a quick ball over the top allowed Matthew Healy to put in a dangerous low cross, but Jake Mulraney’s deft flick failed to connect, allowing Pats goalkeeper Joseph Anang to calmly collect the ball.
It was a difficult half for new Pats signing Ryan Edmonson. The physically imposing striker found himself goal-side of Roberto Lopes thirty-three minutes in. After a brilliant chop inside to set up a left footed strike, the Englishman suffered an unfortunate slip, allowing Rovers to clear.
Picture: Vihaan Mohan
Edmonson continued to try and stamp his influence, after controlling a difficult ball while being pressed by two Rovers players, the striker played a fantastic trivela through-pass to the chasing Barry Baggley, who managed to win a corner after his shot was blocked.
Pats came out with fire in their bellies in the second half, enjoying sustained attacks and putting the home side under intense pressure. Rovers looked shaky since the interval, struggling to find any rhythm under an intense press from Pats.
Rovers keeper Ed McGinty was forced into making a superb save, turning Jamie Lennon’s long distance effort onto the post. Following a scramble in the box, the ball finally went out for a goal kick when Baggley dragged his attempt wide.
From the ensuing goal kick, a poor piece of control from Mulraney left Edmonson with a golden opportunity one-on-one with McGinty. The striker failed to even test the Shamrock Rovers keeper, scuffing his shot wide of the goal.
Rovers manager Stephen Bradley responded to the pressure with a triple-substitution, introducing fan-favourites Graham Burke, Jack Byrne and Michael Noonan with just over 20 minutes to go.
The substitutions proved decisive almost instantly, when 18 year-old Michael Noonan combined with Adam Brennan to score with his second touch of the night. The goal goes to Noonan but the credit must go to young Adam Brennan, who controlled the ball brilliantly with his chest while driving into the box, before cutting back to Noonan who simply passed the ball home.
Emboldened by their opener, Rover’s pressed for a second. It almost came when some tidy play between Brennan and Graham Burke set up Jack Byrne on the edge of the box. Who rattled the post with a brilliant effort.
Adam Brennan solidified a stellar debut in the 80th minute. The former UCD winger attacked Danny Grant’s cross at the back post and buried it with a header from close range. The celebrations were cut short when Brennan went down with a cramp, compelling Bradley into substituting the winger, allowing him to receive a standing ovation from the Tallaght crowd.
Even after two postponed fixtures Shamrock Rovers look as assured and capable as ever. A convincing win over their Dublin rivals lays down what looks to be hints of a resolute title defence.
Man of the Match: Few could have imagined the instant impact Adam Brennan will have had upon his arrival. The 18 year-old winger looked right at home on the Rovers left side, tormenting the Pats defence with his pace and power coupled with assured decision making. A goal and assist will do no harm to Brennan, who seemingly has already found his feet at the Hoops.
Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Cleary, Lopes, O’Sullivan; Grant, Watts (Burke 67), Healy, Brennan (Stevens 82); Ozhianvuna (Malley 76), Mulraney (Byrne 67); McGovern (Noonan 67).
St. Patricks Athletic: Anang; Grivosti (Palmer 86), Redmond, Turner; Boyce (Elbouzedi 72), Nugent (Forrester 72), Lennon, Baggley, McClelland; Leavy (Nzingo 79), Edmondson.
Referee: Rob Harvey
Attendance: 7573