League of Ireland: Shamrock Rovers and Shels in dramatic Tallaght battle; Pat's lead Bohs
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It's another busy evening in the League of Ireland, with two Dublin derbies in store as champions Shelbourne head to Tallaght to face Shamrock Rovers and a resurgent Bohemians play host to St Patrick's Athletic.
Elsewhere, league leaders Drogheda United travel to face Galway United, while managerless Waterford take on Derry City.
Keep up to date with all the Premier and First Division action is it happens here.
Key updates
67' GOAL! Level once again in Tallaght! Shamrock Rovers 2 – Shelbourne 2 Having just gone behind, Stephen Bradley's men clap back in an instant as Jack Byrne delivers a corner to the back post. It's kept alive and falls to Lee Grace who gets it out of his feet and crosses it low into the six-yard box for Dan Cleary to poke home. Incredible scenes!
65' GOAL! Shels turn it around! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 2 Unbelievable scenes in Tallaght as Damien Duff's men score almost a carbon copy goal. Kameron Ledwidge crosses from the left and Mipo Odubeko - the Tallaght native - is the man to keep his composure and tap home under pressure.
51' GOAL! Shels restore parity in style! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 1 What a beaultiful goal and what a dream substitution from Damien Duff as Ali Coote pulls Shels level in an instant. Jamie Norris crosses from the left and Harry Wood breaks it down for Coote to make the run from deep and poke the ball past Ed McGinty! Unbelievable considering Shels didn't manage a shot on target in that entire first-half!
Drogs in front at Eamonn Deacy Park! Galway United 0 - Drogheda United 1 Galway almost took the lead a handful of minutes earlier but Luke Dennison came to his side's rescue. All of a sudden on the stroke of half-time, the ball drops to Darragh Markey on the edge of the box. The March player of the month reacts first and drills it into the bottom corner.
Waterford find the opener at the RSC! Waterford 1 - Derry City 0 It's not the prettiest but Waterford fans won't care in the slightest! Conan Noonan's corner leads to a goal-mouth scramble which is eventually poked home by Darragh Leahy in the 40th-minute.
28' GOAL! Matt Healy puts Rovers ahead! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 0 It's not a great look for Shels' shot-stopper Conor Kearns as it looked like a tame enough strike. Jack Byrne rolls it to Matt Healy outside the box who uses Mark Coyle's frame to curl it around the Shels' captain and into the net. It didn't look particularly powerful - perhaps Kearns' vision was obstructed by Coyle as he attempted to block the strike.
Saints take the lead at Dalymount! Bohemians 0 - St.Patrick's Athletic 1 After some neat play, Axel Sjoberg's cross from right is blocked by a hand in the box. Match referee Damien MacGraith doesn't hesitate and points straight to the spot. Chris Forrester shows his experience as he sends Kacper Chorazka the wrong way from the resulting penalty.
League of Ireland Premier Division (all kick-offs 7.45pm) (69 mins)
Bohemians 0 - St.Patrick's Athletic 1
Galway United 0 - Drogheda United 1
Waterford 2 - Derry City 0
Shamrock Rovers 2 – Shelbourne 2
League of Ireland First Division (all kick-offs 7.45pm) (69 mins)
Bray Wanderers 3 - Kerry 0
Cobh Ramblers 3 - Finn Harps 1
Treaty United 0 - Athlone Town 0
Wexford 0 - UCD 0
Just now
67' GOAL! Level once again in Tallaght! Shamrock Rovers 2 – Shelbourne 2
Having just gone behind, Stephen Bradley's men clap back in an instant as Jack Byrne delivers a corner to the back post.
It's kept alive and falls to Lee Grace who gets it out of his feet and crosses it low into the six-yard box for Dan Cleary to poke home. Incredible scenes!
Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X
𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐄!Dan Cleary pokes it in! 2-2! What a game in Tallaght! pic.twitter.com/1cnldXjVbF— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 25, 2025
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4 minutes ago
65' GOAL! Shels turn it around! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 2
Unbelievable scenes in Tallaght as Damien Duff's men score almost a carbon copy goal.
Kameron Ledwidge crosses from the left and Mipo Odubeko - the Tallaght native - is the man to keep his composure and tap home under pressure.
14 minutes ago
57' Close! Jack Byrne has been a thorn in Shels' side tonight. The midfielder swivels and aims for the top-right corner - just over the bar. Conor Kearns was rooted to the spot.
15 minutes ago
GOAL! Bray Wanderers 3 - Kerry 0 (51 mins)
What a night at the Carlisle Grounds for Danu Kinsella-Bishop who makes it a hattrick just six minutes into the second-half!
GOAL! Cobh Ramblers 3 - Finn Harps 0 (49 mins)
Things get even better for the Rams as Luka Le Bervet picks out Cian Bargary to extend the host's lead.
18 minutes ago
51' GOAL! Shels restore parity in style! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 1
What a beaultiful goal and what a dream substitution from Damien Duff as Ali Coote pulls Shels level in an instant.
Jamie Norris crosses from the left and Harry Wood breaks it down for Coote to make the run from deep and poke the ball past Ed McGinty!
Unbelievable considering Shels didn't manage a shot on target in that entire first-half!
Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐍 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓!!! 🔴🔴Ali Coote on the pitch a matter of seconds and he's equalised!What a substitution! #LOI | @shelsfc pic.twitter.com/kqdHO0ipGz— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 25, 2025
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21 minutes ago
49' A double substitution from Damien Duff as Sam Bone and Kerr McInroy are replaced by Ali Coote and Sean Gannon.
22 minutes ago
47' Chance! Shamrock Rovers resume where they left off before the interval as a poor kick-out from Conor Kearns is picked off.
Michael Noonan finds himself in on goal from an acute angle - Kearns does well to make amends with a strong left leg to save the day.
24 minutes ago
46' The second-half gets under way in Tallaght as Shels get the ball rolling once again. No changes to either team after the break.
27 minutes ago
WATCH: Half-time analysis from Keith Tracey on the Virgin Media panel
League of Ireland on Twitter / X
Post-match analysis at half-time in Tallaght. pic.twitter.com/0INUlcZjO3— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 25, 2025
33 minutes ago
GOAL! Cobh Ramblers 2 - Finn Harps 0 (45+2 mins)
A second goal of the game for the Rams as David Bosnjak turns provider just before the half-time whistle as Barry Coffey taps in.
37 minutes ago
Half-time: Shamrock Rovers go into the break with the advantage! Sean O'Connor has his say...
Half-time here at Tallaght and it's Rovers on top so far. Graham Burke and 16-year-old Michael Noonan threatening the Reds back line but Matt Healy broke the deadlock before the hour mark with his first goal for the club.
The shot seemed to catch out Kearns, as the ex-Ireland U-21 man celebrated with a golf swing in front of an ecstatic south stand. Rovers could have double it just before the break there as Roberto Lopes headed just wide.
Shels started well but local lad Mipo Odubeko has yet to test really test Ed McGinty so far.
39 minutes ago
Drogs in front at Eamonn Deacy Park! Galway United 0 - Drogheda United 1
Galway almost took the lead a handful of minutes earlier but Luke Dennison came to his side's rescue.
All of a sudden on the stroke of half-time, the ball drops to Darragh Markey on the edge of the box. The March player of the month reacts first and drills it into the bottom corner.
43 minutes ago
45' Some neat work between Graham Burke and Dylan Watts wins a free for Rovers right on the edge of the box as Evan Caffrey commits the foul. The wall comes to Shels' rescue.
There will be 2 minutes of additional time in Tallaght.
45 minutes ago
Waterford find the opener at the RSC! Waterford 1 - Derry City 0
It's not the prettiest but Waterford fans won't care in the slightest! Conan Noonan's corner leads to a goal-mouth scramble which is eventually poked home by Darragh Leahy in the 40th-minute.
League of Ireland on Twitter / X
Darragh Leahy puts Waterford in front! 🔵The Blues take the lead approaching the break. pic.twitter.com/Mc4AYMIKMw— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 25, 2025
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48 minutes ago
40' Another nervy moment for Conor Kearns! Jack Byrne goes long and Kearns races from his line to try and claim it. The 26-year-old keeper is beaten to it by Micheal Noonan, but Shels scramble to clear their lines before Noonan can capitalise on the half-open goal.
52 minutes ago
34' A decent effort to reply from Shels as Harry Wood crosses to the back post for the lurking Mipo Odubeko. Dan Cleary manages to get a vital touch on it to concede the corner which yields nothing for Damien Duff's men.
58 minutes ago
28' GOAL! Matt Healy puts Rovers ahead! Shamrock Rovers 1 – Shelbourne 0
It's not a great look for Shels' shot-stopper Conor Kearns as it looked like a tame enough strike.
Jack Byrne rolls it to Matt Healy outside the box who uses Mark Coyle's frame to curl it around the Shels' captain and into the net.
It didn't look particularly powerful - perhaps Kearns' vision was obstructed by Coyle as he attempted to block the strike.
Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐘! ☘️Rovers lead in Tallaght. Conor Kearns got this one all wrong! #LOI pic.twitter.com/MwH1iRGZwo— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 25, 2025
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Today 03:14 PM
Saints take the lead at Dalymount! Bohemians 0 - St.Patrick's Athletic 1
After some neat play, Axel Sjoberg's cross from right is blocked by a hand in the box. Match referee Damien MacGraith doesn't hesitate and points straight to the spot.
Chris Forrester shows his experience as he sends Kacper Chorazka the wrong way from the resulting penalty.
League of Ireland on Twitter / X
Chris Forrester from the spot! ⚽The Saints take the lead in Dalymount. pic.twitter.com/kRsVQhHLmJ— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 25, 2025
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Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Graham Burke 'a maverick who makes us better when he's on the pitch'
Graham has been labelled a 'maverick' who makes Shamrock Rovers a much better team when he is injury-free and on the pitch. And the Hoops ace himself feels he's in the best shape in years as he looks to keep Rovers on track to reclaim the has been crowned the SSE Airtricity / Soccer Writers Ireland 'Player of the Month for May' after scoring four goals and providing two assists in that 31-year-old has been frustrated with the stop-start nature of recent seasons as injuries and niggles took their toll on his body. And that was evident last season with Burke forced to play a bit-part role in the Hoops' historic European run, with his only start in the league phase coming against in the qualifying stages, he missed the Vikingur games completely with injury and came off the bench in the second-leg against Sparta Prague. And it was substitute roles again against Celje and PAOK, before featuring in just three of the six league phase games, starting one, with another start at home to Molde in the playoff. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Burke said yesterday: 'The last two years I've got a run of games and then got an injury, rehab, try to come back and then get up to speed again. Maybe you get back in the team and for me it just felt that every four or five games I was back with the physio.'Even around Europe last year, it was a disappointing time to get an injury. They're huge games and you want to be playing in huge games. A big game against Chelsea, I only got back training the week before it and I was thinking maybe I won't come on but hopefully I will, and lucky enough I did.' At this stage of his career, Burke understands that Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has to manage the minutes of one of the league's best attacking tonight's clash with Shelbourne, Rovers are away to Drogheda United on Monday and Burke hasn't played both games in a double game week this season. He knows it's for the best, but it doesn't mean he likes it, and nor does it sit well with Burke when Bradley takes him off in matches late Ireland international said: 'Day to day, I'm quite chilled and quite relaxed. I know myself there's certain times I can switch and have a mad 10 seconds of madness. We all have flaws at times and that's probably a little flaw I have. When I leave the football pitch, I'm quite calm. But I wouldn't want it to leave me. It's a part of me.'Shamrock Rovers boss Bradley has labelled Burke a maverick and makes no apologies for picking and choosing his games - even if it occasionally frustrates the attacker. Ahead of tonight's trip to Tolka Park, Bradley said: 'We're a better team when Graham is on the pitch and it's my job to get him to that point where he's available. At times last year we had to push certain players at certain times as we were so low on bodies, some players suffered due to that in terms of injuries.'But when we have a healthy squad, which we have, it's about trying to mind the likes of Graham to get him to the pitch in good physical condition. There's been a lot of reasons over the last few years why he has been stop-start but this year he has been excellent and that's down to him.'Bradley continued: 'He's in incredible condition but there's more detail to it, his stress load goes through his calves and you build that up over a period of time it becomes a problem, with how he plays and his running style, everything is explosive.'Graham will cover the same explosive distances as Neil Farrugia which people wouldn't think. There's a lot that goes into that and it took us a while to get to the bottom of that and understand it. He wants to play every minute of every game and it's our job to try and hold him and get him right for games and once he's right, this year he's different class.'And while Burke doesn't hide his annoyance at being subbed off late in games, Bradley would never try to tame that spikiness in one of his star added: 'That's part of Graham, part of his beauty and what he is. You have to understand and accept that Graham is on the edge all of the time. If we're winning 5-0, he's done everything and you take him off he's not happy. You're not going to change that now. It's part of what makes him. "He'll say things (to me, coming off the pitch) for sure! But you have to allow him to have that. If you try to take that away, you kill a bit of what he is. He's a bit of a maverick and you've got to allow him to be that." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Stuart Byrne: If Shels and Pat's are up for Europe, they will benefit at home
I'm expecting both Shelbourne and St Pat's to lay down a big challenge to Shamrock Rovers over the next month. Let's be honest, they can't afford not to. But with Europe around the corner, this is the time of year that teams have been building towards, where they get to unleash their all. It's amazing how a two-week break feels like a two-months. The games were coming thick and fast in May and Rovers and Bohs took full advantage. They made the most of the double game weeks in particular, whereas Shels and Pat's missed out and it wasn't a great month for either side as they expected to challenge. For Shels, the consistency they had last season has deserted them a little this year. I speak a lot in this column about how the good teams use pre-season to set out their expectations for the year ahead. And for the four teams in Europe, they have been building towards this time of the season. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. When I was at Shels, we were expected to win leagues and do well in Europe and that was drilled into you on those freezing cold, wet pre-season days training at the AUL. The rain would be sheeting down on a miserable grey day and all you'd be thinking about was the summer months and European football. That's what spurred me on anyway and I conditioned myself mentally and physically to peak in the summer when Europe rolled around. And that's why I expect Shels and St Pat's to hit full throttle now. Playing against higher quality opposition in Europe should have a positive knock-on effect in your league form. I don't recall my Shels teams having a bad July, August or September in the league because that focus primes you to go up another gear and really push yourself. That's why Shels and Pat's need to lay down a big challenge to Rovers. This is their chance and no better time than tonight when they meet at Tolka Park. Shels' first European game is less than a month away and in the meantime they have five or six league games to rediscover the level of consistency they had last year. They need to send out a message to the rest of the league that they haven't gone away. Last year, Damien Duff's men led for most of the season and they know the toll it takes. But they got over the line and that was a huge confidence booster. While they've had to go at it differently this year, there's still benefits to sitting in the slipstream of others. No, they can't get away from the fact they're nine points off the lead as that's not good at all. But they can let Rovers take the strain for now, and try to twist the narrative themselves as they're not under huge pressure as it stands. Duff has had his players primed since pre-season and this is the time of year when it has to start showing. Drogheda's European fortunes now rest with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but all of our teams on the continent simply have to progress past the first round. And if the mindset is right, Shels and Pat's can make domestic gains too. Breaking bad for finances I enjoyed the Indo podcast chat between Joe Malloy and Shelbourne's new chief executive Tomas Quinn. Quinn spoke about how the biggest revenue generator for League of Ireland clubs is still match day tickets. It got me thinking about the music industry again, and the surge over the last decade of 90s bands coming out of retirement to gig again. I've written before about how League of Ireland grounds should become concert venues for crowds of a certain size. These acts are back on the scene because they're not making money off album sales or spotify. They simply had to get back on the road. In the same way, League of Ireland clubs have to play games to survive. Do you introduce more competitions in that case? Or do you do something different? Take the mid-season break that we've just endured. What an absolute waste that was, when it could have been one of the biggest revenue generators for clubs. I remember playing for Shels against Manchester United in 2002, in Roy Keane's first game since Saipan. The place was rammed. English clubs aren't coming here any more. Well, Leeds United are in August, but to play AC Milan at Aviva Stadium. That's a disgrace. They should be playing our league champions. It doesn't have to be English clubs of course, but there's so much potential to turn this daft mid-season break into a serious revenue stream for clubs. It's an open invitation, but they don't seem interested. 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Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Shamrock Rovers' ominous form means FAI Cup could take on extra significance for League of Ireland rivals
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