Simon Power (right) celebrates with Barry Baggley after scoring St Patrick's Athletic's winning goal in Friday night's Dublin derby against Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

St Pat’s keep Shamrock Rovers waiting for league title

There seems to be a great creative freedom in denying Shamrock Rovers a title-winning point.

St Pat’s, bruised from a shock 3-0 defeat to Cork City in the FAI Cup semi-final two weeks ago, looked weightless and unafraid at Richmond Park. Whether this performance was a reaction to that one, or motivated by a desire to deny their opponents, it was a reminder of the quality Stephen Kenny’s side has with the ball at their feet.

Barry Baggley was at the heart of it, manoeuvring neatly in tight spaces and stringing together poised, effective attacking phases. That was Baggley’s role in the match-winner, collecting a difficult ball near the halfway line and sensibly feeding Simon Power with his second touch.

Power had space to deliberate but quickly made up his mind, drifting inside and unleashing a floating drive into the top-right corner. Pat’s may have cursed their profligacy in a dominant first half had it not been for Power’s strike.

“I feel he’s capable of that and capable of scoring more goals,” Kenny said post-match. “He’s had a good run in the team because he’s had an unfortunate injury past.