League

Tallaght Stadium
Spectators: 8436 (Terracing: 6328, Seating: 1940, VIP seats: 168) Shamrock Rovers's Robustiano Tino started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Charly Meulemans showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Salmon Walker, who was totally free with the ball in the 5th minute. 6 minutes into the match, Salmon Walker had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Charly Meulemans. Shamrock Rovers's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Salmon Walker was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Brefni Benson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brannon Sheridan having to interfere. Salmon Walker's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Charly Meulemans read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 23rd minute of play. If Salmon Walker had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 25th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Charly Meulemans showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Salmon Walker, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. In the 32nd minute Curran Cassin shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Charly Meulemans saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Salmon Walker struck a weak shot in the 33rd minute. Charly Meulemans didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Coolroe. Brefni Benson struck a weak shot in the 35th minute. Brannon Sheridan didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Shamrock Rovers. After having played for 41 minutes, Curran Cassin managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Coolroe's supporters crossed their fingers, but Curran Cassin was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 43rd minute, Gearalt Murphy hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Curran Cassin to make the kick off. 57 minutes into the game, Robustiano Tino cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Brannon Sheridan was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After 60 played minutes Coolroe got a freekick which was hit by Beary Dempsey. Brannon Sheridan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Robustiano Tino in the 65th minute of play. 68 minutes into the game, Salmon Walker recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Charly Meulemans. Salmon Walker showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-2. In the 76th minute, Coolroe's Curran Cassin ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Charly Meulemans. Charly Meulemans yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-3. Charly Meulemans was out of position in the 80 minute of play, and Salmon Walker capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Salmon Walker really showed his touch with that goal: 1-4. Salmon Walker blasted a shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Charly Meulemans having to make a save. Curran Cassin might have been able to make a better finish in the 87th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Charly Meulemans. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Curran Cassin ran back to his position shaking his head. The audience was convinced that Robustiano Tino's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Brannon Sheridan was relentless in the 92nd minute of the game. The supporters of Shamrock Rovers booed when Coolroe was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Salmon Walker didn't get a good kick on the ball. Although Shamrock Rovers had been in control for most of the match, Coolroe still came away with the win.