FOUR A THRILL
Honours even after derby cracker
EOIN DOYLE proved spot on with a brace of penalties as St Patrick’s Athletic came from behind three times to salvage a point in this rollercoaster derby at Tolka Park.
As well as eight goals, three of them penalties, there were three more disallowed and three red cards, two for the dugouts.
Shelbourne enjoyed plenty of the ball early on and were deservedly ahead on 13 minutes.
Shane Griffin’s long ball broke to Sean Boyd, who shot past Danny Rogers.
Scarcely in the game, St Pat’s hit back to equalise on 21 minutes as Barry Cotter collected skipper Joe Redmond’s long ball down the right to cut back across and drill a left-foot shot into the far corner.
If that came out of nothing, Shelbourne regained the lead in similar fashion 10 minutes later.
Scott Matty Smith collected a loose ball and careered forward to drive a shot that beat Rogers at his near post, scoring against the club he was leading scorer for last season.
The visitors thought they had levelled again nine minutes before the break, but Mark Doyle’s header was disallowed for a foul.
But Saints weren’t to be denied as they were on terms again as the watch ticked into added time.
Eoin Doyle’s super header from a Jay Mcclelland corner was tipped onto the bar by Brendan Clarke. Harry Brockback appeared to get a touch back towards goal with Boyd merely helping the ball into the net.
A menace throughout at the other end, Boyd was central to Shels regaining the lead on 52 minutes as Brockback pulled him down in the box and the big striker sent Rogers the wrong way from 12 yards.
St Pat’s had the ball in the net at the other end minutes later but Eoin Doyle was adjudged offside.
Boyd was then denied a hat-trick when he thought he’d scored again, but for it to be disallowed for a handball.
Shels did get a fourth goal on 65 minutes when JJ Lunney curled home from 20 yards.
St Pat’s got a goal back three minutes later, Eoin Doyle slotting home a penalty after Shane Farrell fouled Sam Curtis.
Emotions then boiled over as St Pat’s manager Tim Clancy and Shels’ coach Alan Quinn were shown straight red cards for trading insults. And it wasn’t over yet. Griffin pulled down Eoin Doyle as Shels conceded a second penalty. Doyle again sent Clarke the wrong way.
The game’s final play saw St Pat’s midfielder Jamie Lennon sent off for a second yellow card offence in the fifth
minute of added time.