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St Pat’s stun league leaders Shelbourne with win in Monday Night thriller

Shelbourne and St Patrick’s Athletic played out a thrilling Dublin derby on Monday night in Tolka Park, which saw St Pat’s head home across the Liffey with the three points after a 3-2 win. 

Match winner Al-Amin Kazeem on the shoulders of goalkeeper Joseph Anang enjoying the celebrations after win against Shelbourne. (Photo: Sportsfile – League of Ireland)

In the first half, both teams created chances, but Pats were definitely the better team. The visitors took the lead in the 22nd minute through Captain Joe Redmond. Shelbourne left-back Kameron Ledwidge gave away a needless free-kick for a foul on Jamie Lennon. The free kick was delivered into the box by Brandon Kavanagh for Pats, and Redmond was there to flick it on; past keeper Conor Kearns and into the Shels goal.  

Pats came incredibly close to doubling their lead in the 37th minute, when Aidan Keena tried his luck from his own half, after spotting Conor Kearns way off his line, with his effort striking the crossbar. At points it looked like half time couldn’t come any sooner for Shels, as the possibility of dropping points again in the title race looked to be getting to them. 

Pats continued to pile on the pressure in the second half, with Jake Mulraney hitting the post. 10 minutes was enough to convince Damien Duff that he needed to make changes, with Ali Coote replacing Liam Burt and Sean Boyd coming on for the injured Aiden O’Brien. Duff would have hoped that these changes would help his side get back into the game, but the complete opposite is what played out just a few minutes later.

A cross from Zachary Elbouzedi was not dealt with by Shels defender Patrick Barrett, whose weak attempt at a pass to Tyreke Wilson was picked up by Elbouzedi. He was able to square it to Brandon Kavanagh, who was in position for a tap-in and made it 2-0 to Pats. 

After Pats’ second goal, Duff made more changes, with Matthew Smith and John Martin coming on for Harry Wood and Evan Caffrey.

Shels were going to need some moments of magic if they were to get back into this game, and they got one in the 77th minute. Rayhaan Tulloch played a 1-2 with John Martin on the left-wing and smashed it into the top right corner from just inside the box.

Suddenly, Pats were the team feeling all the pressure as they tried to defend their lead and the home fans at Tolka Park were believing again.

Just three minutes later, Conor Kearns launched the ball forward to Sean Boyd, who was able to knock it down to Matty Smith. Smith looked to volley it first time but it didn’t bounce right for him, but he chopped the ball onto his left to create enough space to smash it beautifully into the top left corner and draw Shels level.

The roof came off Tolka Park, as two goal of the season contenders saw Shels come back from 2-0 down. Shels had all the momentum now and believed they could go on and win the game and have one hand on the title.

They continued to put the pressure on Pats, but in the 88th minute, Tulloch lost the ball and Kian Leavy played it down the wing to Elbouzedi.

He put in a low cross that was controlled by Mason Melia, and with his back to goal he shot but hit the post. But with his first touch after being subbed on, Al-Amin Kazeem was there to score on the rebound and Pats were back in the lead.

After all their hard work to draw level, one mistake from Shels saw them behind again and they had to try to equalise for the second time. 

Around half way through the five additional minutes at the end of the match, the referee spotted an off the ball incident between Shelbourne’s Matty Smith and Pats’ Aaron Bolger.

There was a coming together between the two and as they returned to their feet, Smith appeared to gouge the eye of Bolger, which the referee deemed to be enough to produce the red card and send off the Shels player.

Once the five minutes and an additional three added on elapsed, the referee blew the final whistle and Pats had won in Tolka Park. 

This defeat leaves Shelbourne with just one win in their last 12 games in all competitions, not the kind of form they would want to be in with trips to Shamrock Rovers and Derry City still to come, who are both chasing Shels at the top of the table. 

As for St. Pat’s, this was their fifth straight win, and their second huge away victory in four days, having beat Rovers in Tallaght on Friday night.