Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers remain on course for a third consecutive league title after Rory Gaffney's 95th minute strike snatched three priceless points against ...

Farrugia’s dangerous cross found Hoare at the back post on 73 minutes, but Clarke produced a strong left hand from close range to deny Rovers a leveller. The Hoops went close to an equaliser on the hour mark, as substitute Sean Hoare wiggled his way in behind the defence. On the stroke of half-time, Shels regained the lead through Farrell again. It’s all about the cup for the Reds though, as they face Waterford in the semi-finals next Sunday. His whipped cross was destined for Gaffney, but Shels skipper Luke Byrne produced a textbook clearance. Cleary switched off for a moment and looked for the offside flag, as Farrell charged past to net his fifth of the season.

Shamrock Rovers took a momentous step towards retaining their SSE Airtricity League title as Rory Gaffney's 95th minute volley sealed an invaluable victory ...

Aaron Greene met the 23-year-old’s cross with a fierce header, which Clarke could only parry to the feet of Cleary to slot home. A goal down, Rovers began to look nervy. The chance for a winner seemed to have passed as Greene twice failed to convert one-on-ones in the final minutes. Mark Coyle whipped the cross from midfield and Farrell met it on the half-volley to caress the ball into the bottom left corner – the 22-year-old’s sixth league goal of the season. And Tallaght Stadium was able to let out a collective sigh of relief when Cleary headed home the equaliser from a Byrne corner in the 27th minute. However, Daniel Cleary popped up in the box to score his second of the game before Gaffney stole the show to restore the Hoops’ lead to five points with four games remaining.

Shels boss Damien Duff pointed to his watch, clearly outraged that the four minutes' injury-time had already elapsed by the time the corner was taken.

It was an often frustrating evening for Byrne, who struggled to find his range in gale-force conditions. “We kept plugging away,” Gaffney continued. Farrell looked to be offside, but instead of waiting for a flag he made a beeline for Alan Mannus’s goal, raced into the box and lifted his shot over the advancing goalkeeper. Up to the 84th minute it was a textbook counter-attacking performance by Shels, masterminded by their animated manager on the sidelines. Rovers finished with a celebratory huddle, while Shels boss Damien Duff pointed to his watch, clearly outraged that the four minutes’ injury-time had already elapsed by the time the corner was taken. “We just have to keep ticking the league games off.