St Patrick's Athletic (1) - Shamrock Rovers (3)

Match Report

St Patrick's Athletic 1 - Shamrock Rovers 3

Shamrock Rovers edged closer to the Airtricity Premier League title with tonight's 3-1 win over rivals St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park.

Michael O'Neill's side maintained their healthy lead at the top with tonight's convincing performance.

Goals from Gary Twigg, Thomas Stewart and Billy Dennehy did the damage for Rovers as Pete Mahon's side were outplayed by the end of the game.

That said the home side took an early lead but it was to prove false hope. The opener came from a corner less than two minutes in when Ryan Guy rose to head home from six yards out.

Rovers quickly set about rectifying the situation but had some time to wait before the equaliser came. Eventually it arrived on 45 minutes when Craig Sives headed James Chambers' free onto the foot of the post and Gary Twigg stepped up to fire home the rebound from 10 yards out for his 15th league goal of the season.

A Dave Mulcahy mistake Thomas Stewart in for the second and his fifth goal of the campaign on 56 minutes. Dennehy wrapped it up seven minutes later after a fine strike from the edge of the area.

© Irish Times