The Title Run-In
Published: August 25, 2010
March
March 16th – Shamrock Rovers 0-2 St Patrick's Athletic: The first of the games between the trio came as early as the second round of fixtures. The victory for Pats in Tallaght saw them go top thanks to goals from Ian Bermingham (57) and Vinny Faherty (58) as a quickfire double sank the hoops.
April
April 6th – Bohemians 1-1 St Patrick's Athletic: Bohs’ defence of their title was going well as they went unbeaten into mid-April. In this tie Vinny Faherty gave Pats a valuable lead however Jason Byrne levelled to keep Bohs trucking along quite nicely.
April 9th – Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Bohemians: However, things began to turn sour in Tallaght as Rovers’ first goal of the season at home – by Billy Dennehy before the break – gave the hosts a fine win and Pat Fenlon’s side their first loss.
April 30th – St Patrick's Athletic 1-2 Shamrock Rovers: A double by Thomas Stewart was enough for Rovers to grab a well-earned win in Inchicore. Alex Williams grabbed a late consolation however, in truth, Stewart should have had at least one more.
May
May 21 – St Patrick's Athletic 3-1 Bohemians: On the same night that Rovers dropped points away at Sporting Fingal – despite taking the lead with five minutes remaining, Rovers conceded immediately as the title chasers again swapped places – Pats thrashed a Bohemians side which fell apart in just five minutes. Jason Byrne had given the Gypsies an early lead but Derek Doyle (39), Paul Byrne (42), Stuart Byrne (44) each scored in a tremendous spell before the break. Bohs slumped to defeat, while Pats went top.
May 29 – Bohemians 0-0 Shamrock Rovers: A drab eighty minutes preceded a frantic final ten as the 2009 title rivals played out a scoreless draw in Dalymount Park. A goal-mouth scramble halted Dessie Baker’s 80th minute attack, a penalty appeal was turned down and Anto Murphy cleared another effort off the line as the game ended in handbags at ten yards.
July
July 5 – Shamrock Rovers 2-1 St Patrick's Athletic: Rovers went top in early July thanks to a tough win and a missed penalty by St Pats’ Ryan Guy. Derek Doyle (50) gave the visitors the lead but a Thomas Stewart brace (64 +81) looked to have given Rovers the win. However, when Billy Dennehy was adjudged to have handled in the box in the dying moments, Guy had the opportunity to level. Alan Mannus saved.
July 30 – Bohemians 1-1 St Patrick's Athletic: Pats had drawn with Sporting Fingal only days previous, thanks to a very late strike by Dave Mulcahy in Inchicore, and he did it again in Dalymount. Owen Heary gave the Champions a very early lead but Mulcahy’s injury time equaliser again saved the Saints.
August
August 8 – Shamrock Rovers 3-0 Bohemians: The biggest game of the season was played out in Tallaght only a few weeks back. Expected to be a tight game, Rovers were on an emotional high following their exploits with a certain side from Turin, while Bohs were busy slashing their expenses and grieving a European capitulation in Wales.
Rovers had banged three past Fingal the week previous, however had conceded three also. Cleaning up their defensive problems, while maintaining their attacking intent, Dan Murray (24), Gary Twigg (63) and Billy Dennehy (86) earned Rovers a massive win. Pat Flynn had been sent off after an hour, making the win ever-more impressive, however Gary Twigg’s subsequent suspension for his goal celebration over-shadowed a great result for the Hoops.
Top three fixtures remaining
Sep 10 – St Patrick's Athletic –v- Shamrock Rovers
Oct 08 – St Patrick's Athletic –v- Bohemians
Oct 15 – Bohemians –v- Shamrock Rovers
Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block.
