Shelbourne subdue ten-man Shamrock Rovers to make title statement

Shelbourne's unlikely title charge might be the real deal as they sent out a massive statement with a first away win over Shamrock Rovers since 2005 at Tallaght Stadium.

Will Jarvis was at the double from the penalty spot as Shels moved six points clear of Derry City at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division and nine ahead of Rovers whose fifth defeat of the season is more than they had in the entirety of 2023.

It’s three wins in the space of a week for Damien Duff’s side who showed they have the squad depth to go the distance in the race for the Premier Division title.

Shelbourne got the win but Shamrock Rovers self-destructed and coughed up the chances through individual errors with the unfortunate Pico Lopes sent off for two yellows after bringing Matty Smith down in the area twice.

Shelbourne’s goal came against the run of play and having caught out the Hoops with a long ball in their first meeting in Tolka Park, they did so again as Josh Honohan inexplicably let a Conor Kearns goal kick sail over his head, allowing Matty Smith to pounce through on goal.

The despairing Pico Lopes was left scrambling and could only bring him down allowing Jarvis to convert from the spot after 19 minutes.

The fickleness of football was on show in the first half. Rovers could have easily been 2-0 up after striking the woodwork twice in the opening ten minutes.

But a Jarvis penalty and three injury enforced substitutes later saw Stephen Bradley's side endure a nightmare first 45.

The hosts did respond instantly with Graham Burke forcing Kearns into a smart stop from a free kick.

Things began to unravel for the champions and the pattern of the game became fragmented as Daniel Cleary, Josh Honhan and Trevor Clarke were forced off