Shelbourne back to winning ways as John Martin makes the difference against St Pat’s

With both sides coming into this Dublin derby on winless runs, it was Shelbourne who got back on track here as John Martin’s first-half strike secured a third successive win over the Saints for Damien Duff’s side.

It was a richly-deserved three points with the hosts enjoying by far the better chances in front of 4,755 at Tolka Park. Picking up a first victory since March 29, wingers Will Jarvis and Liam Burt shone again for the Reds while skipper Mark Coyle and JJ Lunney were also key in the engine room.

The closest Jon Daly’s Saints came to threatening was a first-half free-kick from Jake Mulraney, but they conceded first yet again and fell to a second defeat in five days. The Inchicore side sit 10 points off the top, with the absences of skipper Joe Redmond and key striker Ruairí Keating felt in the Drumcondra defeat.

Shels began on the front foot as some fine build-up play from Burt and Seán Gannon, with the latter’s excellent cross finding Tyreke Wilson but the Dubliner’s shot was straight at Danny Rogers in the visiting goal.

Shels had come close to the opener but the visitors did likewise on 13 minutes, as intense pressing from 16-year-old Mason Melia almost forced an error from Reds ‘keeper Conor Kearns, who had just received a passback, but the 25-year-old cleared the ball to safety in the nick of time.

After an even opening period, Duff’s men stepped it up a gear. Burt worked himself in a good position on the right flank but there was no red shirt to meet the Scot’s expert ball at the back post.

March player of the month Jarvis spun past two yellow shirts moments later, but his effort was straight down the throat of Rogers, with JJ Lunney, on his 100th appearance, then sending a driving effort towards goal but the Saints ‘keeper denied Shels.

the breakthrough arrived on 33 minutes, courtesy of some fabulous build-up play from Matty Smith. The Dundee native’s ball found Martin inside the box who stroked home his second goal of the season. The striker had his first goal since March 4, Duff’s men had the lead and the Riverside were ‘enjoying themselves.’

And it could have been two immediately afterwards, as the Reds came forward again before Burt forced a fine save from Rogers. Mulraney’s free-kick went inches from levelling just before the break, but it was advantage Shels and a deserved one at that.

After conceding first for the fourth time in their last five outings, a big response was needed from St Pat’s and that’s just what the Saints faithful witnessed as Mulraney was denied a leveller by a fine save from Kearns.

Both teams worked their benches around the hour mark, with Shels striker Seán Boyd replacing goalscorer Martin as Duff’s men sought a second. That almost came 20 minutes from time as Rogers’ poor clearance fell to the feet of Jarvis. The winger, on loan from Hull City, opted to go himself rather than find Boyd at the back post, but fired his effort high over the bar.

The Saints No 1 more than redeemed himself moments later, however, as he clawed Gavin Molloy’s header over the bar from point-blank range.

Daly’s men pushed hard for a late leveller but it never came as the Reds held firm. The Riverside stand were in full voice at full-time, applauding Duff's side off the pitch after securing the bragging rights with yet another Dublin derby win.

Shelbourne: Kearns; Gannon, Molloy, Ledwidge, Wilson; Coyle, Lunney; Burt, Smith (O’Sullivan 75), Jarvis (Caffrey 89); Martin (Boyd 64).

St Patrick’s Athletic: Rogers; McLaughlin, Keeley, Turner, Breslin; Bolger (Leavy 78), Lennon (Palmer 64), Forrester; B Kavanagh, Mulraney (Nolan 64); Melia (C Kavanagh 58).

Ref: R Harvey.