A late strike from Ronan Finn ensured Sporting Fingal picked up a point from this thrilling contest with Shamrock Rovers at Morton Stadium.

 

Right from the start it was clear that this was going to be an exciting game as both sides started on a lively note, but it was the hosts that registered the first blow when Eamon Zayed broke the deadlock.

 

The striker has been in superb form of late and needed just 11 minutes to add to his season's tally when he met Conan Byrne's cross from the right with a diving header.

 

Rovers responded with James Chambers, excellent throughout the game, testing the alertness of Sporting keeper Darren Quigley, but up the other end Alan Kirby and Gary O'Neill both came close for the home team.

 

But on 35 minutes, the game was level. Chambers was the provider as his cross fell nicely for Craig Sives to smash in his first goal of the season for the Hoops.

 

Five minutes after the restart, O'Neill showed his predatory instincts when he pounced on a spill from Rovers keeper Alan Mannus to fire in from close range and make it 2-1.

 

However, the momentum swung again when Gary Twigg cleverly read a back-pass by Byrne, controlled the ball, raced away towards the opposition's penalty area and then slotted in past Quigley.

 

It took just another four minutes for Michael O'Neill's men to give the away supporters another goal to celebrate when Stephen Rice unleashed a shot from long range that flew into the back of the net.

 

Rovers thought they had done enough to win the game, but Finn popped up on 87 minutes to let rip with a shot that Mannus just couldn't keep out. 

 

Sporting Fingal: Quigley; O'Brien, Browne, Williams, Fitzgerald; Kirby (Dawson 87), McFaul, Finn; Byrne (Gannon 83), O'Neill (Crowe 61), Zayed. 

 

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Sives, Price, Murray, Stevens; Kavanagh, Chambers (Rice 55), Bayly (Bradley 69), Turner; Twigg, Stewart (Dennehy HT). 

 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)