Greene rocket ensures Dublin derby delight for Shamrock Rovers

If Shamrock Rovers are to retain their title, perhaps they will look back on the final game in the first series as especially pivotal, Aaron Greene's rasper deciding a riveting Dublin derby against Shelbroune.

Rovers might have had the game all wrapped up by the hour-mark, Andy Lyons having scored one but nearly two or three, before an inspired Damien Duff substitution helped to change the game thanks to Shane Farrell's leveller.

But Stephen Bradley had a few tricks of his own on a star-studded bench and substitute Greene decided matters in front of an ecstatic Rovers away support after being teed up superbly by Danny Mandroiu.

Derry might have had the chance to extend their gap over the Hoops to eight points if they beat Finn Harps tomorrow – instead it will be six at most. That concludes the first series of games and there is, it seems, a genuine title race.

This was a proper Dublin derby played in cold conditions that never but enthralled. Amongst the crowd was Stephen Kenny, Ireland and former Rovers' boss; Irish under-21 manager Jim Crawford, who was a firm fans' favourite in his playing days in Tolka Park, was also among a sold-out crowd. Ruaidhri Higgins, Derry boss, was in attendance.

There was one change in the Rovers starting team from their 3-0 win at Finn Harps last weekend, with Seån Gannon coming in for Roberto Lopes. Shels were unchanged from the team that prevailed in Sligo.

So powerful is the Hoops squad, they could start without two of the league's most talented players in Dylan Watts and Mandroiu.

Hoops led within two minutes. The ineffective Jordan McEneff was robbed of the ball, Ronan Finn found Richie Towell who fed Lyons and the player continued his remarkable run of goals with a really tidy finish.

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