Shelbourne spoil Shamrock Rovers’ title party as Kerr McInroy strike settles Dublin derby

And while it’s only a matter of time before the trophy leaves Tolka Park and returns to Tallaght, for now the Reds are champions for another week at least after spoiling the party for the champions-elect.

“Hand it over,” were the cries from the Hoops faithful at kick-off as Stephen Bradley’s men needed just a point to clinch a fifth title in six seasons, but the champagne remains on ice after their derby defeat at the hands of a superb performance by 10-man Shels.

After missing the chance to seal it on home soil, Rovers will now look to get the job done in another derby at St Pat’s next Friday while for Shelbourne, their first win in this fixture in nearly 18 months is a huge boost to their hopes of securing European football for 2026. They rise to fourth and sit one point off third-placed Bohemians with four games remaining.

Joey O’Brien’s men were rewarded for their superb start as Kerr McInroy’s first-half strike settled a tense Dublin derby. The visitors were well on top in the first half but gave themselves a nervy ending as Paddy Barrett was shown a straight red with 13 minutes left for a poor challenge on John McGovern to set up a grandstand finish in front of the 7,477-strong crowd.

The Reds were almost made to pay at the death twice when 19-year-old Cory O’Sullivan could have made himself the hero, but the defender saw his header cleared off the line before Danny Mandroiu’s effort was saved just seconds later. Shels survived a subsequent goalline scramble to leave Dublin 24 with a precious three points in their hunt for Europe.

For all the talk about Rovers and their title ambitions beforehand, it was the 2024 champions who started far better, with a dangerous James Norris cross giving the home backline a moment of worry before local lad Mipo Odubeko dragged his effort wide.

The Reds came forward again and should have really taken the lead on 15 minutes. Norris came to the fore with another explosive run on the left and crossed but Harry Wood skewed his shot just inches past the post.

In a much-changed back five due to injury and international commitments, the Hoops looked nervous at times when put under pressure by the Reds press. A poor pass back and an even poorer clearance by goalkeeper Ed McGinty spread nervous vibes around Tallaght as Shels smelled blood. This wasn’t in Rovers’ script.

Odubeko managed to get in behind moments later and looked sure to score, only for a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Adam Matthews to deny the Dubliner the opener.

Rovers soon settled into the derby after 20 minutes, the home support finding their voice after their side’s slow start, but it wasn’t long until they were silenced again when the Reds drew first blood.

Norris, who had been a terror for Rovers on the left flank, pounced on a loose ball and cut it across the six-yard box. The ball fell kindly into McInroy’s path courtesy of a deflection off Dan Cleary, and the Scot took full advantage, slotting home for his third goal of the season. It was no more than O’Brien’s side deserved after a stellar start.

Bradley’s side needed to respond, but it was the Reds who almost doubled their lead minutes after the restart, with McGinty needing to be on his toes to tip a McInroy curler over the crossbar.

But the hosts put the pressure on and almost forced a leveller just before the hour mark when Danny Mandroiu’s curler looked destined for the bottom corner only to be denied by a clever stop by Dutch ‘keeper Speel.

With big Conference League clashes at home to Celje and away to AEK Athens, as well as their FAI Cup final date against Cork City to come across the next four weeks or so, Bradley wanted the title wrapped up and opted to make a triple change with 25 minutes left on the clock. McGovern, Connor Malley and Sean Kavanagh were introduced to add energy in their search for that all-important goal.

Rovers were handed a lifeline on 77 minutes when substitute McGovern broke forward on the counter before he was taken down by Barrett, the defender receiving a straight red card for his poor challenge.

Spurred on by the extra man, Rovers went close to that elusive goal three times in a breathless finish as O’Sullivan watched his header agonisingly cleared off the line by Kameron Ledwidge, before Mandroiu’s shot was well saved by Speel. Rovers tried and tried, but Shels survived.

For the Hoops, the wait goes on another week. The champions remain champions, for now.

Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Cleary, Matthews, O’Sullivan; Clarke (Kavanagh 65), Watts (Malley 65), Healy, Mandroiu, Nugent; Burke, Gaffney (McGovern 65).

Shelbourne: Speel; Barrett, Ledwidge. Norris; Mbeng, McInroy, Lunney, Henry-Francis (Coote 64), Caffrey (Coyle 72); Wood (Temple 80), Odubeko (Martin 72).

Ref: R Hennessy.

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