Shelbourne vs Shamrock Rovers Review
Updated: Apr 12, 2022
Looking back at our featured game for Matchday 9 in the League of Ireland Premier division, Shelbourne vs Shamrock Rovers.
Looking back at our Featured game of Matchday 9. A rivalry lasting over 100 years. Here is a view from the terraces...
Shelbourne 1 - 2 Shamrock Rovers
“If I was an opposition manager I'd say, 'let them play out from the back and after one pass go and press them' because Kameron Ledwidge on the left side of the back three gave it away three, four times in a row.
Yes. This is Karl Sheppard speaking to RTE after Shelbourne's 3-0 loss to Finn Harps, where he singles Ledwidge out, suggesting he will give the ball away when under pressure. After Ledwidge's display against Rovers on Friday night and, of course, got the assist for Shane Farrell's first goal of the season, the less said about Karl, who was nominated as Spoofer of the week on the LOI Terraces Podcast, the better.
Tolka Park was rocking on Friday night. With a sold-out away end, absolute carnage to try and get a pint in the club bar, flares, smoke bombs, scarves and of course, Shels conceding in the last minute. Rovers got off to a great start with ANDY Lyons scoring in the second minute after Jordan McEneff lost possession in his half. The first half consisted of Shels winning the ball back and giving the ball away again, but the atmosphere was electric, so we all go to the games, right? The second half began, and it was obvious, that Shels were going to give it their all. In the 58th minute, after a quick break from Shels from a throw-in, Dan Hawkins worked it out wide to Ledwidge, who then whipped it across the box where Shane Farrell banged it home. 1-1. Game on. Shels were beginning to get on the ball a lot more and were becoming comfortable passing it around, whereas Rovers were slowly starting to get back into the game. Sean Boyd was subbed on for Dan Carr, which added a physical presence up front for Shels. However, in typical Shels fashion, Hawkins losses the ball at the halfway line where Rovers break and Aaron Greene pings it top corner in the 90th minute. Absolute chaos in the away end, heartbreaking for those in the home end.
What are my thoughts? Shelbourne is improving game after game. Although Rovers were good on the night, the 2 goals came from individual mistakes. There is a special buzz around Tolka this season, with the Save Tolka Park campaign gaining a lot of support, there seems to be a huge togetherness at Tolka this season. This is amplified by the fact that everyone in the league appears to dislike Duff, which again reinforces the togetherness at Tolka. For Rovers, the last couple of games has been huge for them. They are beginning to win games again, although they are 6 points behind Derry, the squad depth Rovers possess is by far the best in the league, which will be huge come to the end of the season.
Summary
Atmosphere: 10/10
Pint Rating: Guinness, Tolka Bar, 9/10
How much did I spend?: €32. This got me my return bus journey, a match ticket (€10), and 4 pints of Guinness at 4.50 each (€18).
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