Report: Ryan McMullen
A 94th-minute concession meant Shamrock Rovers were forced to settle for a point against Shelbourne in Tolka Park.
Ahead of the game, Stephen Bradley opted to make only the one change from Sunday’s home win against Cork City with striker Rory Gaffney coming into the side ahead of Johnny Kenny.
Both sides took their time to settle into the game but just after the opening 10 minutes it was the Hoops who began to take control of possession and started to create opportunities.
The Hoops had a very bright start, they were putting a lot of pressure on the Shels defence and it wasn’t long before they found the breakthrough on the twenty-minute mark. A Dylan Watts cross from the right was met by Markus Poom at the back post who steered home in front of the 1,000+ Hoops to put Rovers ahead.
Following the goal Rovers took complete control of the game as they looked for their second. The Hoops attacked very energetically but couldn’t find a way to double their lead before halftime.
Not long after the break, Rovers were looking dangerous again when Rory Gaffney took a shot that forced Conor Kearns in the Shels goal to get down low and make a save on his right-hand side.
On the hour mark, Shels Forward Shane Farrell had a chance for the home side after receiving a long ball from Kearns, Farrell hit a first-time shot that went just too far left of the target.
At the other end, Darragh Nugent almost added a second for Rovers when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box but his strike went wide of the goal not troubling Kearns.
Dylan Watts had another chance shortly after, he drove forward after receiving the ball high up the pitch from Graham Burke but failed to keep his shot down and saw it go over the crossbar.
The Hoops were holding their lead as the closing stages approached but the home side were coming into the game and had the majority of possession late on.
6 minutes of injury time were added on by the fourth official and on the 94th minute the Hoops were hit with a sucker punch when Gavin Molloy headed home the equaliser from a Harry Wood corner.
A disappointing night for the Hoops but it’s all eyes now on our next game where we take on Dundalk on Friday 25th of August, Kick off at Tallaght Stadium is set for 8pm.
Shelbourne: Kearns, Barrett, Molloy, Griffin ©, J Wilson (T Wilson 46’), Caffrey (Moylan 46’), Coyle, Farrell (Hakiki 70’), Lunney (Arubi 83’), Wood, Jarvis.
Shelbourne unused substitutes: Fisk, Byrne, Toure.
Shamrock Rovers: Mannus, Lopes, Cleary, Kavanagh, Poom, O’Neill, Burt (Greene 79’), Watts, Finn © (Nugent 58’), Gaffney (Kenny 76’), Burke (Towell 76’).
Shamrock Rovers unused substitutes; Pohls, Gannon, Cruise, Noonan, Razi.
