Full Time: Shamrock Rovers 2-2 Shelbourne
Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne had to settle for a point apiece in this evening's drama-filled Ringsend derby.
After losing their 2-0 lead to Bohemians on Easter Monday, there were some worried faces across the home sections in Tallaght Stadium as Shels battled from behind to pull themselves ahead. Luckily for Stephen Bradley, his side avoided repeating themselves, thanks to Dan Cleary's equaliser.
A fairly dull opening 10 minutes was finally sparked into life by a magic pass from Ellis Chapman. The former Sligo Rovers man slipped a slick ball through to Mipo Odubeko, with the forward unable to control it, and seeing his shot blocked.
Soon after, a poor header by Sam Bone gifted youngster Michael Noonan a chance, with his effort well saved by Conor Kearns.
The shotstopper seemed to use up all his luck with that chance, however, as Matt Healy’s curler trickled past him. Looking as though it would be smashed in the top corner, it swung to the far side, catching Kearns off guard, and giving Healy his first goal for the Hoops.
ππππ πππππ! βοΈ
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 25, 2025
Rovers lead in Tallaght. Conor Kearns got this one all wrong! #LOI pic.twitter.com/MwH1iRGZwo
Kearns nearly had another moment of misfortune, as Byrne’s lofted ball looked as though it might land just outside his box. However, it didn’t and the Shels keeper fumbled the ball as he once again found himself trying to readjust. Lucky for him, his backline were able to cover his tracks.
As the first half came to a close, the hosts started to smell blood. Lopes, Byrne, and Burke all had chances to double the lead, but none could steer their shot on target.
Picking up where they left off, Rovers found themselves on the front foot straight away. Kearns' goalkick was cleared away by Healy, with Noonan latching on to the loose ball but being denied by the keeper.
Sam Bone and Kerr McInroy were the first to make way, with the pair picking up knocks in the first half. In came Ali Coote and Sean Gannon, with the former making an immediate impact.
With his first touch of the game, Coote poked it past McGinty to level the tie. The move was sparked by a brilliant switch ball from Chapman, which found Norris. The Liverpool loanee whipped it to the backpost, Wood flicked it back across, finding Coote in the middle.
β±οΈ 50 mins gone.
— Shelbourne FC π (@shelsfc) April 25, 2025
With his first touch Ali Coote brings the sides level.
Score: π’ 1 | 1 π΄#DublinsFinest | #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/8JaVQwwpyb
Ledwidge showed his passing prowess, crossing in an inch-perfect pass into the box. Having previously been criticised by Roddy Collins for his finishing, the Shelbourne striker made no mistake with a cool finish to fire his side in front.
But the lead didn't last long, as Dan Cleary's almost instant equaliser put the hosts back on level terms. Byrne's corner was kept alive by Honohan, and flicked back across for Cleary to flick it past Chapman on the line.
As both sides went all out in hopes of a late winner, neither could find that final moment of magic to seal three points. Despite that, both sides could consider themselves unfortunate not to have taken more than just a point.
Full Time: Shamrock Rovers 2-2 Shelbourne
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes (c), Daniel Cleary (27), Josh Honohan, Danny Grant (88), Matt Healy, Jack Byrne, Dylan Watts (79), Michael Noonan, Graham Burke (88)
Substitutes: Leon Pohls, Adam Matthews (79), Aaron Greene (88), Darragh Nugent, Rory Gaffney, Cian Barrett, John O’Sullivan, Cory O’Sullivan (27), Victor Ozhianvuna (88)
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Kameron Ledwidge, Mark Coyle (c), Sam Bone (48), Evan Caffrey, James Norris, Kerr McInroy (48), JJ Lunney, Harry Wood (70), Ellis Chapman (88), Mipo Odubeko
Substitutes: Lorcan Healy, Sean Gannon (48), Tyreke Wilson, John Martin, (70) Ali Coote (48), John O’Sullivan (88), Ryan O’Kane, Raymond Offor, Rayhaan Tulloch
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
Attendance: 7,317
