SHAMROCK ROVERS advanced to meet Shelboume in the final of the Leinster Senior Cup last night after they inflicted a first defeat on St Patrick's Athletic since Pat Dolan became manager with three late goals in a lively semi-final clash at Richmond Park.

After absorbing all the pressure early on Aaron Lynch caught the St Patrick's defence square on 65 minutes to race clear onto Derek Tracey's through ball, round goalkeeper Gareth Byrne and shoot right-footed to the net to give Rovers the lead.

Skipper John Toal then scored Rovers' second goal from a 78th minute penalty after Stephen Grant had been taken down by Mick Moody.

Grant then added the third nine minutes from time when, keeping his head, he calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Byrne after running onto Sean Francis' pass.

St Patrick's very much had the better of the first-half but failed to translate their possession into goals; their best chance being wasted by John Glynn who miscued in front of goal after Paul McGee had gone around Rovers' goalkeeper Robbie Horgan to set him up.

Earlier, Horgan had saved well from Ricky O'Flaherty while a typical 35-yard Eddie Gormley shot went narrowly wide.