Shamrock Rovers clinch title and four-in-a-row in style

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC…0 SHAMROCK ROVERS…2 (Aaron Greene 83, Graham Burke 90+2) 

Title number 21 is heading to Tallaght – replicating the four-in-row of the 1980s – after Shamrock Rovers struck twice in the last seven minutes as a packed Richmond Park.

Fans couldn’t wait for next Friday’s final home game against Sligo Rovers, understandably invading the pitch at full-time to acclaim their modern-day heroes.

Even a draw would have sufficed to keep St Pat’s at bay, based on goal difference but Aaron Greene’s deft header from a cross by fellow sub Dylan Watts two minutes after coming on cemented the trophy.

Another attacker introduced, Graham Burke, added the gloss in stoppage time by racing clear, rounding Dean Lyness and tapping home.

It was an easy finish to what was a difficult season, on and off the pitch, but seals the day with two games to spare. That it was their first away league win since June 5 illustrated the scenic route to this promised land.

When you possess the squad of Rovers’ pedigree at your disposal, managers are tempted to tinker but Stephen Bradley stuck with all the fit players who bulldozed past Drogheda United 5-0 last Sunday.

Trevor Clarke’s injury created a slot for captain Ronan Finn to be reinstated – a return that lasted only a half hour following a forceful but fair challenge from Jamie Lennon – but Graham Burke was kept in reserve following his return from suspension.

St Pat’s have an FAI Cup final to prepare for, an unashamed priority in the eyes of manager Jon Daly, influencing his decision to rest Chris Forrester. 

The midfielder may be only 30 but has been immersed in frontline combat since his teens, predominantly over 300 times for the Saints, and was given a breather with the