Shamrock Rovers - 1 Shelbourne - 1 The contrasting fortunes of the landlord and tenant were clear for all to see last night as Shelbourne were presented with the Premiership trophy at Tolka Park after a non-eventful draw. The evening was more about the aftermatch ceremony.
It has been yet another year to forget for Rovers. With no progress being made on the plans to move to a new stadium in Tallaght, their eviction from Richmond Park and the drug scandal involving goalkeeper Barry Ryan, they seemed to be stumbling from one disaster to the next throughout the campaign.
On the pitch, things weren't much better. Liam Buckley's men struggled to find the net, thus hindering any chance they had of challenging for a European spot at the business end of the season.
The problems have got even worse recently with player mutiny in the air as the squad await payment of their wages. They hoped last night's gate would be able to at least appease their full-time playing staff.
With the evening being all about Shelbourne claiming their third title in five years, Rovers must have felt like were gate crashing a party, despite it technically being their home match.
The contest's subdued pace was understandable considering neither side had anything to play for. But as the first half progressed the difference in standard between the new league champions and Rovers became more and more pronounced.
Shelbourne's control in possession enabled them to create chances almost at will in the opening half hour. Most of these originated from the right flank where Richie Baker and Owen Heary were showing well. With just seven minutes gone, a delightful cross from Baker was headed back across the goalmouth by Jamie Harris, only for Jason Byrne to arrive a fraction too late. Then, Stuart Byrne almost broke the deadlock but Trevor Croly cleared his header off the line.
On 24 minutes, Shelbourne were rewarded when Jason Byrne expertly finished from the penalty spot for his 21st league goal, after his namesake, Stuart, was brought down on the edge of the area by goalkeeper Shane Davoren. It appeared to be a harsh call by referee Ian Stokes as no contact appeared to have been made between the two players.
Stephen Grant looked destined to find the equaliser before the break but first a free-kick was tipped over by Steve Williams, and then a close-range shot flashed inches wide.
Rovers managed to find a foothold in the contest and 10 minutes into the second half Stephen McGuinness headed the equaliser, after a Grant corner picked him out in the crowd.
No genuine chances arrived thereafter, until injury time when Shelbourne's Ger McCarthy overcooked his pass to substitute Stephen Geoghegan. It would have been a fitting finale for their former talisman to cap off the night, but no matter.
For Rovers, the barren spell without a title is now approaching 10 years.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Davoren; Croly, McGuinness, Doyle, Keddy; Robinson, Colwell (Boughanem, 56 mns), Tracey, S Grant; T Grant, Molloy.
SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Rogers, McCarthy, Rogers; Baker, Crawford (Morgan, 45 mins), S Byrne, Cahill; J Byrne (McCarthy, 60 mins), Harris (Geoghegan, 56 mins).
Referee: I Stokes (Dublin)
