St Patrick's Athletic climbed out of relegation play-off places with a 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park on Friday.

 

Ryan Guy scored the only goal of the game on 39 minutes to ensure that Pete Mahon's team would be playing their football in the Premier Division next season.

 

After Ollie Cahill came close for the visitors, The Super Saints came to life with Glen Fitzpatrick attempting a chip on Rovers keeper Alan Mannus.

 

Fitzpatrick then turned provider when his cross was met by Guy, who leaped above his marker to head in the opening goal. The American delighted the home support by following it up with a quirky celebration.

 

Rovers tried to find a way back into the match with Craig Sives and Paddy Kavanagh both trying to get the goal that would level the scores, but Saints keeper Brendan Clarke denied both players.

 

The hosts should have lit the scoreboard up again with Fitzpatrick twice threatening, while Bobby Ryan brought the best out of Mannus with a long-range shot.

 

It may have been a difficult year for them, but St Pat's did what was required in their final league game to ensure they stayed in the top flight.

 

St Patrick's Athletic: Clarke; Lynch (Haverty 75), Gavin, Harris, Stevens; Guy, O'Connor, Byrne, B Ryan; Quigley, Fitzpatrick (O'Brien 80).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Rogers, D Ryan, Cawley.

 

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Sullivan, Price, Sives, Chisholm; Kavanagh (O'Connor 62), Robinson, Bradley (Amond 76), Cahill; Twigg, Barrett (Baker 62).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Duggan, Maguire.

 

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)