Saints earn first win

A GOAL with his first touch from substitute Josh O’Hanlon gave St Patrick’s Athletic their first win of the season to lift them off the foot of the table.

Liam Buckley’s side had to come from behind against 10man Shamrock Rovers in a riveting Dublin derby.

The Hoops started the better and their pressure told with a deserved goal on 13 minutes when Gary Shaw turned home James Doona’s cross.

A derby never short of bite, Gavin Peers and Graham Kelly were booked before Rovers’ Heaney also shipped a yellow card on the half hour.

Four minutes later the Hoops’ defender was sent off for a second offence on Conan Byrne.

St Pat’s pressed for an equaliser and the introduction of Kurtis Byrne worked the oracle as they levelled on 59 minutes.

Fellow sub O’Hanlon then won it for the Saints with his first touch seconds after coming on in the 76th minute. ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: O’Malley; Barker, Peers, Desmond, Bermingham; Kelly (K Byrne 56), Cregg, Lunney (Markey 71); C Byrne, Fagan (J O’Hanlon, 75), A O’Hanlon. Scorers: K Byrne 59; J O’Hanlon 76. SHAMROCK ROVERS: Chencinski; Madden, Webster, Devine, Heaney; Lopes; Meenan (Bone HT), Finn, Burke, Doona (McAllister 38); Shaw (Boyd 67). Scorer: Shaw 13. Sent off: Heaney 34. Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Donegal).