Top of the table St. Patrick’s Athletic host the Champions in what could be a vital early moment in the title race
St. Patrick’s Athletic will look to continue their impressive start to the season boasting an unbeaten record at home stretching back to June of 2025 where they suffered two home defeats in a row.
The Saints saw their lead at the top of the table cut to a mere goal difference advantage over Bohemians after they endured their 2nd defeat of the season away to Dundalk this Easter Monday.
For Stephen Bradley’s Shamrock Rovers, they know that a win away at Richmond Park and favouring results across the league will see the Champions return to the summit for the first time this season, something ominous for the rest of the league.
The last meeting between these sides saw the Hoops’ win 2-0 with goals scored by Adam Brennan and Michael Noonan. Kenny and Pat’s will be frustrated looking back at that defeat after missing several big chances before Noonan opened the deadlock.
Key Information
Kick Off: 8pm, Friday April 10th
Where to Watch: Virgin Media Two
Betting Odds: St. Patrick’s Athletic @5/4, Draw @21/10, Shamrock Rovers @21/10
Referee: Rob Harvey
Team News
Following St. Pat's defeat against Dundalk, Romal Palmer and Aidan Keena join a deep list of injuries for the Saints'. Zach Elbouzedi, Simon Power and Ronan Boyce are expected to also not be fit for Friday's Dublin derby.
For the Champions long term absentees of Rory Gaffney, Danny Mandriou and Dan Cleary are expected to continue. Max Kovalevskis returned to the bench versus Shelbourne, while Dylan Watts, Adam Brennan and Connor Malley are touch and go for the trip to Richmond Park.
Key Statistics
St. Patrick's Athletic have the joint potent attack in the league with eighteen goals scored by ten different players - the highest spread of any club in the top flight.
The Hoops' have not won away in Richmond Park since their famous 2-0 win to seal the four in a row with goals from Aaron Greene and Graham Burke.
These two great Dublin rivals haven't played out a nil-nil draw since November of 2020 - goals are historically expected in the South Dublin derby.
Key Players
Ryan Edmundson is the man in form for the Saints at the moment with four goals to start his debut campaign in the League of Ireland. Stephen Kenny knows Edmundson's pace and physicality will be crucial to testing Rovers back three and offering Pat's an outlet up front to hold the ball up.
For Shamrock Rovers, Graham Burke has just joined the coveted centenary club of goals for the Hoops' after his close range finish versus bitter Ringsend rivals Shelbourne. Burke will be crucial to how Rovers sustain pressure in the attacking third with the playmaker's ability to make something happen out of nothing critical in tightly contested Dublin derbies.
Previous Meetings
20/02/2026 - Shamrock Rovers 2-0 St. Patrick's Athletic
17/10/2025 - St. Patrick's Athletic 1-0 Shamrock Rovers
19/05/2025 - Shamrock Rovers 4-0 St. Patrick's Athletic
18/04/2025 - St. Patrick's Athletic 2-2 Shamrock Rovers
07/03/2025 - Shamrock Rovers 1-0 St. Patrick's Athletic