Pic: Darren Kearns

Shamrock Rovers faced a difficult Monday evening, taking on Shelbourne at Tolka Park, which was capped off with a 2-2 draw. The game began rapidly, and after 13 minutes, Stephen Bradley saw his team two goals down. Harry Wood struck well from outside the box to beat Ed McGinty and took advantage of their opponents’ slow start.

Four minutes later, the ball was in McGinty’s net again. This time, on the back of a controversial moment as the referee, Robert Hennessy, pointed for a goal kick but never blew the whistle. As a result, Maill Lundgren set up John Martin to double the hosts’ advantage. Rovers did claw their way back, and 20 minutes after Shelbourne’s second goal, they got their leveller. Neither side found the winner, the away side seeming more likely out of the two.

The moment that confused Shamrock Rovers

This Dublin derby began rapidly, and Shamrock Rovers were slow to get out of the blocks. Shelbourne appeared to be taking advantage of this, and after 13 minutes seemed to be in dreamland. The controversy began as the second goal went in. A ball delivered from the right wing tipped the crossbar before heading to the left side of the pitch. The referee initially thought that it was out for a goal kick as he pointed for such. Players switched off after seeing this and began to take position for McGinty’s goal kick. However, the referee appeared to change his mind as he saw play continue, and inevitably it resulted in Shelbourne’s second goal.

Since Hennessy has received some backlash for the questionable decision. The replay shows that he did point for a goal kick, and an instant switch was knocked off for some Shamrock Rovers players. For the manager, he will feel that this decision has cost his side two points, which may prove crucial in November. He and his side do not have much time to dwell as they head to The Showgrounds on Friday to take on Sligo Rovers.

Stephen Bradley’s frustration

Bradley did acknowledge that his players should play to the whistle, an element of the game instilled from a young age. On the other hand, he did slam the decision made by Hennessy, referencing how some of his experienced players switched off, including 36-year-old Aaron Greene. It is a decision that will be heavily scrutinised and a moment the referee will want to forget.

There has been a war of words between the Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne managers. Joey O’Brien, who took over for Damien Duff last year, struck back, suggesting his opponents should play to the whistle. He said, “[It’s] Under-10 stuff, isn’t it. Play to the whistle.” O’Brien said this after suggesting he knew little of the situation. His side was on the back of a dramatic 3-2 defeat at the hands of St. Patrick’s Athletic. An outcome that could have fallen similarly at times throughout the second half.

How it unfolded

Overall, the game proved to be a spectacle for the neutral. Four goals inside the opening 33 minutes, including a penalty and a controversial refereeing moment, made for an entertaining watch. Shamrock Rovers left Tolka Park with the feeling of two points dropped as opposed to a point gained. There were clear improvements from Friday’s 1-0 victory over Derry City. Due to being two goals down so soon, it enforced a reaction, one that Rovers supporters got.

Six changes were made to the starting 11 that lined out just three days earlier. Lee Grace replaced Daniel Cleary, Daniel Grant replaced Adam Brennan, and more changes were made. The key to longevity within the squad is managing minutes, particularly those of younger players and new arrivals. Bradley spoke after the game, mentioning how they are working with Brennan to get to a stage where he can line out on a Friday-Monday schedule.

Question marks were cast over the starting lineup when it was revealed at around 6.30 pm on Monday. Key features such as Adam Brennan, Jack Byrne, Michael Noonan, and Graham Burke all dropped to the bench. Bradley will not just have the current busy schedule in mind, but that of the summer too, when European and cup fixtures arise.

Fine margins at Tolka Park

History repeated itself in the end at Tolka Park as the result was a draw between Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers. A draw tends to be the outcome when the pair meet in Drumcondra. There was little to split the two sides over the course of the 90 minutes. Combining Joey O’Brien’s side’s quick start with the Rovers’ response and a lacklustre second half, a draw may have been a fair result.

Stephen Bradley and his side left Tolka Park feeling hard done by due to Hennessy’s error. Although his players should play to the whistle, it does appear as though he points for a goal kick, which results in multiple players in green and white switching off. After Dylan Watts converted from the spot to level proceedings, the Hoops had 57 minutes to break down the Shelbourne defence, but to no avail.