Deflected strike provides Shelbourne with badly needed win against similarly underwhelming St Pat's
ST PAT'S suffered their first home defeat in 12 months as Shelbourne drew level with them on points.
Ali Coote's deflected 10th minute shot was enough to claim the points with the home side better after the break but lacking the guile to find an equaliser.
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Shelbourne's players were delighted to get back to winning ways
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But for Stephen Kenny it was another frustrating evening
It ended a run of 22 matches - 17 in the league - without a home loss since Dundalk won here on June 3 last year.
Neither side came into this game in particularly good form, both collecting five points from their previous four matches.
It could be argued that both had raised expectations to unreasonable levels last season, Shels by winning the league and St Pat's by ending the campaign with nine straight wins.
But, whether fair or not, there has been an air of disgruntlement around both teams, but more so with St Pat's.
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With two managers looking for a reaction, Damien Duff looked the more likely to obtain it early on.
Jake Mulraney and Aidan Keena had been brought into the starting XI in place of Zach Elbouzedi and Mason Melia after Friday's disappointing draw against Drogheda.
Neither did a whole lot in to justify their inclusion with Keena not getting a sniff of goal, bar when he was unable to get a clean connection on a deflected cross.
There were flashes from Mulraney but no end product. Early on, a threatening run came to nothing as he tumbled out of play with his complaints that he had been fouled by Evan Caffrey falling on deaf ears.
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Later, he covered serious ground before laying it off to Simon Power but looked to have run out of steam as he did not keep moving in search of a return pass.
If their attacking left a lot to be desired then their defending for the opening goal in the 10th minute left a lot to be desired, even if there was a wicked deflection.
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Mark Coyle surged forward before running into traffic. Harry Wood then laid it off to Caffrey on the right.
With no defender in close proximity, Caffrey had the time to take a touch to tee himself up to pick out the unmarked Tyreke Wilson at the far post with a pinpoint cross.
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The temptation might have been for WIlson to have a go himself.
Instead, he had the presence of mind to cut it back to Ali Coote who unleashed a shot which changed direction after hitting Tom Grivosti to leave Joseph Anang with no chance.
KENNY REACTION
Presumably, that played some part in Stephen Kenny's decision to whip off both of his full-backs, Anto Breslin and Ryan McLaughlin, along with Mulraney at half-time.
McLaughlin had been involved in St Pat's only chance in the first half with a good run down the right.
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The deflection on Power's cross made it awkward for Keena. Jay McClelland had a go but his effort was charged down for a corner.
Shels might have gone 2-0 up had Boyd tried to take a touch rather than meet Caffrey's cross first time with his scuffed volley going wide.
The introduction of Melia gave the Shels defence more to contend with, evidenced by the teenager being fouled twice within seven minutes of coming on but referee Paul Norton was unmoved when Keena went to ground in the box when Paddy Barrett held him at bay.
The ex-Sligo Rovers striker did manage to get a shot away a few minutes later but Conor Kearns was able to, comfortably enough, gather at the second attempt.
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Later, Kearns got to a Power cross before Keena did and, when Elbouzedi looked set to pounce on the loose ball, Caffrey got his toe there first and the danger was cleared.
Jamie Lennon went close from 20 yards with Kearns again proving his worth to deny Barry Baggley late on whilst almost making an easy save when opposite number Joseph Anang got his head on an injury-time corner.
SUN STAR MAN: Evan Caffrey (Shelbourne)
ST PAT'S: Anang 6; McLaughlin 5 (Sjoberg 46, 6), Redmond 6, Grivosti 6, Breslin 5 (Baggley 46, 6); Lennon 6, McClelland 5; Power 6, Leavy 6 (Elbouzedi 71, 7), Mulraney 5 (Melia 46, 6); Keena 5 (Carty 85, 4).
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SHELBOURNE: Kearns 8; Bone 6, Barrett 7, Ledwidge 7; Caffrey 8 (Gannon 75, 6), Coyle 7, Lunney 6 (Kelly 70, 6), Wilson 7 (Norris 75, 5); Wood 6, Coote 6 (Chapman 60, 5); Boyd 7 (Martin 70, 6).
REFEREE: P Norton (Dublin) 6
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