The Saints aim to spoil the Shamrock Rovers title party this Friday night, as they welcome Stephen Bradley’s side to Richmond Park.
A lot is on the line for these two great rivals when they meet in Inchicore on Friday. Shamrock Rovers know a point will be enough to secure their 22nd league title (Stephen Bradley’s fifth in charge).
St Pats come into the derby off the back of their humbling 3-0 loss to newly relegated side Cork City in the FAI Cup. Europe is still an outside chance however for Stephen Kenny’s side, who face two of the European qualification contenders in their final four games.
Shamrock Rovers will be disappointed they didn’t officially win the league last Friday against current champions, Shelbourne. The last time Rovers won the league they did so by clinching it at Richmond Park.
In the three matches this season between the south-siders, Rovers have come out on top twice at home in Tallaght with the singular draw coming in a game of the season contender.
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Previous meetings
07/03/25 Shamrock Rovers 1-0 St Patrick’s Athletic
18/04/25 St Patrick’s Athletic 2-2 Shamrock Rovers
19/05/25 Shamrock Rovers 4-0 St Patrick’s Athletic
Players to Watch
Graham Burke will be the man to watch for Shamrock Rovers in a game where ball retention will be critical against St Pats. Burke has notched 14 goals this season in all competitions, his highest single season return for Rovers.
With a plethora of attacking and creative talent for Rovers to deploy, the man to watch for St Pats will be their midfield general Jamie Lennon, his task will be to get the Inchicore men on the ball and break up Rovers attacking play. His absence was felt in Tallaght, in March when Danny Grant was able to run through the centre of the pitch before unleashing the games winning goal.
Prediction
St. Patricks Athletic 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
Key Information
Kick Off: Friday October 17th, 7:45pm
Where to Watch: Virgin Media Two, LOI TV (outside of Republic of Ireland)
Betting odds: St. Patricks Athletic @7/5, Draw @2/1, Shamrock Rovers @11/5
Referee: Neil Doyle
nice summary and highlights clips! Go Rovers!