If this is what the League of Ireland wants to offer in a world in which Damien Duff and Stephen Kenny hog its headlines, bring it on.
A stunning left-footed strike six minutes into injury time from substitute Evan Caffrey – consistent with the confidence of a kick-around rather than a critical goal in a title race – decided a game that will live long in the memory.
This was feisty, absorbing, peppered with quality and succeeding in carrying the weight of expectation that precedes a big league game these days, with a stunning Jake Mulraney free-kick cancelling out a fine Seán Boyd header before Caffrey's goal.
Sharing of the honours seemed a reasonable outcome on the balance – but Caffrey discarded the script.
That Will Jarvis was controversially forced to retire prematurely was no help whatsoever to the visitors, who thereafter looked in need of an insurance second goal but would later seemingly be holding on for a point – and a decent one at that against a fully committed Saints side.
However, composed Caffrey ensured Shels stretched their lead right at the death with a sumptuous strike, preceding a manic celebration from Duff, with Shels goalkeeping coach Paul Skinner consequently seeing red.
The Reds fans, needless to add, engaged in such mania as befits one of the biggest wins in Duff's managerial career.
Monday night fare after Friday fixtures can veer into anodyne territory, but there was never any threat of that, nor of anyone leaving before the final whistle.
The league feels like it is on a special journey and nights like this remind us of how far it has come. For Kenny and Duff, it is the only show in town – and for any number of us besides.
Any number, too, of money shots before a ball was kicked. The clear winner, however, was former Ireland manager Brian Kerr warmly – and for several seconds – embracing Duff pre-game about the centre circle.
Kerr's kids have kids now; Kerr and Duff's relationship remains long and warm. Kerr subsequently gave a pre-game interview to Virgin Media, stating that he was available for any help that Kenny might want, but he deemed it unlikely after comments Kenny made at the press conference promoting his return to the league.
Kenny remains angry and hurt over Kerr's criticism while the former was Ireland manager. The tension between the pair was just another layer to a captivating game, crowds queuing outside on a beautiful night in Inchicore an hour before kick-off, a week night figure of 4,811 testament to a thriving league.
Shels were intent on pressing high and Pat's were not convincing in their passing out from the back. Mark Coyle harried Kian Leavy hard and won the ball back for Boyd, who really ought to have done better five minutes in.
Will Brandon Kavanagh realise his potential under Kenny? The little magician fed Mulraney 12 minutes in but Conor Kearns saved with comfort.
The lead goal came on 14 minutes. Shels' press again was key and the slaloming Jarvis crossed with his left foot to the back stick, Boyd heading home with the confidence of a striker in form.
Chris Forrester had his head in his hands midway through the half when badly missing Leavy with a simple ball.
It was notable that Kenny opined after the loss to Derry Friday that Saints are not in the title race, but they have certainly lacked confidence at times this season.
Jarvis rates a serious talent and his departure from the game on 32 minutes after sustaining a nasty facial wound was a huge blow to Duff's side, with JJ Lunney coming in.
The classy Lunney is a very different player to the Englishman, forcing Shels to change their make-up a little.
Replays suggested Jamie Lennon, who elbowed Jarvis, was a lucky boy – unlike Jarvis and Shels, who look a far better side with him on the turf.
John O'Sullivan cut a worried figure just before half-time as his wild challenge on Leavy had referee Rob Hennessy reaching for a card, which was yellow.
Kavanagh had Saints' best chance so far shortly afterwards but his effort lacked pace and Kearns remained unruffled.
The second half was frantic early on and Shels remained dangerous on the break, with Luke Turner making a vital block from O'Sullivan after a clever flick on from the full-of-confidence Boyd.
Kenny's double-substitution on 63 minutes – teenage prodigy Mason Melia and the promising Alex Nolan coming on – reflected that Saints were labouring in their attempts to create anything of note.
Skipper Mark Coyle was outstanding for Shels, breaking up play and protecting the football like a newborn. Duff has inculcated in the Donegal native lots of confidence. It tells.
Meanwhile, Kenny was praising the hitherto curtailed Mulraney after a fine cross from the left-hand side, with Nolan offering a threat on the other.
Forrester, however, struggled for influence, losing the ball through a lack of pace and, stretching at the back post from a Caffrey cross, Liam Burt just failed to convert and likely end the game as a debate. Forrester thanked the gods.
Hennessy, quite justifiably, was apt to reach for the pocket as the match progressed, Coyle hauling down Melia and thus reluctant thereafter to make any 50-50 tackles. Could Saints capitalise?
The answer, Mulraney's free-kick, preceded a roar of such volume as is rarely heard in Richmond Park.
Kearns gave up the left side of the goal, hoping the wall would suffice, but Mulraney's technique was on message and now we had a ball game.
Darkness fell and Shels, encouraged by their fans, probed for a winner, with Caffrey providing the answer.
Duff will rarely conjure something as inspired, and his three substitutes were hugely instrumental in the goal, with Dean Williams superbly finding Tyreke Wilson, who found Caffrey, who found a place in the annals of great Dublin derbies.
The visiting bench's celebration vaguely recalled one of Duff's old managers in his days in London.
Kenny has had better days but the pair would shake hands like the men they are. Money shots multiplied by a million by the Camac.
Saint Patrick's Athletic: Danny Rogers; Ryan McLoughlin (Kieran Freeman 88), Luke Turner, Joe Redmond, Anto Breslin (Conor Keeley 46); Kian Leavy (Alex Nolan 63), Jamie Lennon, Brandon Kavanagh (Mason Melia 63), Chris Forrester, Jake Mulraney; Ruairi Keating (Cian Kavanagh 88).
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Sean Gannon, Gavin Molloy, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge; John O'Sullivan (Evan Caffrey 60), Mark Coyle; Matty Smith (Dean Williams 75), Liam Burt (Tyreke Wilson 75), William Jarvis; Sean Boyd.
Referee: Rob Hennessy.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
