Shelbourne slip in Tolka thriller as Saints march on

Ellen O'Donoghue

Shelbourne’s title hopes have suffered another blow as they lost 3-2 to St Patrick’s Athletic in a thriller at Tolka Park this evening.

The visitors led by a goal against the League of Ireland Premier Division leaders at the break thanks to captain Joe Redmond, who did well to flick the ball into the net with the back of his head.

St Patrick’s Athletic almost had a second goal in the first half, from just inside their own half. Aidan Keena spotted Shelbourne keeper Conor Kearns off his line and went for a shot, but it hit off the crossbar and came back out just before the half-time whistle.

The home side’s second half started well, creating chances and building momentum, but a mistake by Paddy Barrett in the 62nd minute saw Brandon Kavanagh score the Saints second goal of the night.

Shelbourne fought back, however, and had levelled the game by the 80th minute, thanks to two goal of the season contenders from Rayhaan Tulloch and substitute Matty Smith.

St Pat’s got their third goal from Al-Amin Kazeem, who came off the bench in the 69th minute and had scored by the 88th.

League leaders Shelbourne finished with 10 men, with Matty Smith receiving a red card for appearing to put his hand in the face of his opponent.

Shelbourne still have a four-point lead at the top of the table, but their momentum is slipping as St Pat's make up ground in the race for Europe.