Shelbourne take the spoils in thrilling Shamrock Rovers affair

Shelbourne FC 2 Shamrock Rovers 1 

In a thrilling, full-blooded Ringsend Derby, it was Damien Duff’s Reds who emerged victorious over the reigning Champions thanks to two excellent first half goals and, despite missing an early penalty and requiring some last ditch defending at times in the second half, deservedly held on for their first win of the new season.

Right from the off and - as expected in front of a crowd of about 4,700 - the home side started at breakneck speed. And Damien Duff’s troops were given a golden opportunity to go ahead just a few minutes in when Lee Grace was adjudged to have fouled Paddy Barrett in the area from a deep corner. Up stepped Tyreke Wilson who went low, but missed the target from 12-yards, much to the delight of the travelling support.

But with a quarter of an hour played The Reds got their noses in front when new skipper, Mark Coyle, picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area before curling a beautiful strikepast the helpless Leon Pohls.

Shels doubled their lead not long after when Will Jarvis brilliantly collected a long Conor Kearns pass with an incredible first touch to take him in between Josh Honohan and Dan Cleary, and clear on goal before finishing expertly into the far corner.

The visitors, who were dealt a disappointing double injury blow in the first half against Dundalk seven days previous, but welcomed back Johnny Kenny, Richie Towell and Graham Burke to the match day squad and finally got themselves going after being shell-shocked by the hosts.

As the half drew to a close Darragh Burns was desperately unlucky not to see his curling effort find the far top corner before Burke, on as an early substitute for Sean Hoare, almost took advantage of some sloppy play at the