SOCCER: Shelbourne had too many options for their southside visitors last night with three nicely-timed goals that would have ensured a solid night's work if not for the sending off of centre-back Colin Hawkins.
The straight red card came as a result of minor contact with the St Patrick's Athletic centre-forward, Robbie Doyle, near the corner flag late in the contest.
Being a Dublin derby there were plenty of side-shows. Eamon Collins versus his old club, St Patrick's, the same club that prematurely cut ties last season to allow him enjoy Shelbourne's European odyssey as Pat Fenlon's number two. Last night Collins took up residence near the press box while still serving a pitch-side ban. The distance from the action ensured he suffered a frustrating night.
St Patrick's Athletic arrived with the usual tactics of leaving Robbie Doyle to plough a lone furrow up front. Normally Keith Fahey or Aidan O'Keeffe act as able lieutenants from deep but they had enough to concentrate on in midfield. St Patrick's have moved on from last season but trophies are rarely won with one striker.
Shelbourne have plenty of proven goalscorers but the perceived dream romance of Glen Crowe and Jason Byrne is still in the flirting stages. With Crowe's hamstring acting up he missed a big date last night so Gary O'Neill took his chance. In the 31st minute to be exact, as he scrambled home the opener after Owen Heary supplied the ball for a natural finish from O'Neill.
Fahey, as ever key for St Patrick's, vented his irritation by dragging out of the menacing Wesley Hoolahan to receive a yellow card. It was Fahey's last contribution as he did not return for the second half after presumably picking up an injury.
Jason Byrne hit a powerful effort from the free-kick into Barry Ryan's arms. It seemed a portent of what was to come.
Instead the game was level soon after as the industrious Keith Dunne profited from Dave Rogers' lack of concentration. An innocuous high ball should have been gathered or cleared by the centre back but he did neither to allow Dunne a simple tap-in.
The advantage Shelbourne now have over everyone else is options. Sure, they have two proven league managers in the dugout, well, Collins will be there next week.
Unanimous man of the match Hoolahan continued to push the issue with a shot over the bar before restoring the lead on the stroke of half-time. Byrne and Baker combined for the winger to produce a quality finish.
Thereafter they dictated the tempo as Stuart Byrne wrapped up the points with his third goal of the season. It was done in some style as Hoolahan played an exquisite ball for the on-rushing midfielder to side-foot over Ryan.
The only stain on a good night's work was the Hawkins red card and Jason Byrne's form in front of goal. On three occasions the league's most prolific striker stuttered. One effort in particular has to go down as an open goal. Better nights to come, perhaps when Crowe returns.
SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Hawkins, Rogers, Crawley; Baker, Crawford, S Byrne, Hoolahan (Ryan, 90 mins); O'Neill (Cahill, 84 mins) J Byrne (Fitzpatrick, 90 mins).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Prenderville (Quigley, 84 mins), C Foley, Maguire, Donnelly; O'Keeffe, Fahey (Bell, half-time), Caffrey, M Foley (Holt, 80 mins), Dunne; Doyle.
Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).
