Gaffney lands vital blow as Hoops close on league title

Shamrock Rovers took a momentous step towards retaining their SSE Airtricity League title as Rory Gaffney's 95th minute volley sealed an invaluable victory in the wind and rain of Tallaght Stadium.

Only 10 minutes earlier it looked like the title race may go down to the wire, with Shane Farrell’s brilliant brace giving Shelbourne a 2-1 lead with mere minutes of normal time to go.

However, Daniel Cleary popped up in the box to score his second of the game before Gaffney stole the show to restore the Hoops’ lead to five points with four games remaining.

Shelbourne have long since achieved Damien Duff’s ambition of staying in the division, but this result leaves them without a single win in their last nine league games.

The critical moment in the title race? With added-time already up, Rory Gaffney wins it with a sublime volley. Derry City looked to have hope when Shels led twice, but once again Shamrock Rovers act when it matters most. #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/gaxbkr7BrH

Stephen Bradley openly admitted that he rested key players during Thursday’s 3-0 defeat away to Molde and made six changes to reintroduce Sean Gannon, Dylan Watts, Graham Burke, Gaffney, Neil Farrugia and Jack Byrne to his starting eleven.

Earmarking this game as crucial to retaining their league title, the Hoops looked fired up from the start.

And the evening’s opening chance soon fell to Farrugia, who blasted a shot over the bar, following good work from Gaffney just inside the Shelbourne box.

However, just moments later the home side were behind.

Directing a bullet header from midfield, JJ Lunney found Farrell in behind the Rovers defence, and the 22-year-old coolly converted past Alan Mannus.

A goal down, Rovers began to look nervy. Matty Smith did well to