Burke red damages Rovers

CHRIS FAGAN’S second-half equaliser lifted St. Patrick’s Athletic off the bottom of the Premier Division as indiscipline again plagued Shamrock Rovers. Graham Burke, who fired Rovers into an early lead, was given his second red card of the season 12 minutes from time. Fifth-placed Rovers were chasing a winner when the former Aston Villa trainee tried to kick out at Michael Barker. Referee Rob Hennessy issued the straight red card. Despite the Saints starting brightly and creating a couple of chances for JJ Lunney, they were caught napping for the 18thminute opener. There seemed little danger when Gary Shaw’s received a pass 25 yards from goal, but his flick-on dissected the Saints defence and Graham Burke darted in from the left to tuck the ball beneath Conor O’Malley. For all their possession, the Saints were still prone to another defensive mistake and Rovers were almost handed another gift nine minutes before the break. Instead of saving a free-kick directed straight at him, O’Malley parried the effort to Ryan Connolly six yards out only for the midfielder’s rebound to be denied by the goalkeeper. A defensive mix-up by Connolly and Tomer Chencinski handed Fagan a clear chance to lob the goalkeeper from 20 yards which he failed to take. Fagan wouldn’t be so profligate ten minutes after the restart. Conan Byrne made a foray into the Rovers half, allowing Lunney thread a pass for Fagan to control and smash a shot into the top corner from 20 yards.