St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers: Head-to-Head

Few local derbies in Irish football carry the weight of history like the clash between St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers. These two Dublin clubs have been trading blows for decades, and their head-to-head record tells a story of one-sided dominance—at least on paper—that surprises even lifelong fans.

Total matches (since 2004): 89 ·
Shamrock Rovers wins: 39 ·
St Patrick’s Athletic wins: 26 ·
Draws: 24

Key facts at a glance — all sourced from recent match data and club records.

What League is St Patrick’s Athletic in?

Answer: St Patrick’s Athletic competes in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of Irish association football. Shamrock Rovers also plays in the same division, making every meeting a direct battle for league positioning. Both clubs have spent most of their history in the top flight, though St Patrick’s Athletic has had brief spells outside it earlier in its existence. The competition remains the highest level of domestic football in the Republic of Ireland.

As confirmed by BBC Sport, the 2025 and 2026 league fixtures clearly place both sides in the Premier Division. The league operates on a traditional autumn-spring calendar (with summer breaks), and matches are regularly broadcast on Irish and UK television.

The implication: The league status is unambiguous, ensuring that every meeting has table significance.

Is Shamrock Rovers a good team?

Shamrock Rovers are historically the most successful club in the League of Ireland, with 21 league titles (the most of any club). Recent results underline their strength: on 19 May 2025 they beat St Patrick’s Athletic 4-0 at Tallaght Stadium (BBC Sport), and on 20 February 2026 they won 2-0 (Sky Sports).

In the head-to-head record, Shamrock Rovers lead comfortably. According to AIScore, since 2004 they have won 39 of 89 meetings against St Patrick’s Athletic, compared to 26 wins for the latter. Even using a smaller dataset of the last 50 meetings, FootyStats shows Shamrock Rovers with 25 wins against 12 for St Pat’s. The implication: Shamrock Rovers are not just a “good” team—they are the dominant force in this rivalry. For St Patrick’s Athletic, closing the gap remains an ongoing challenge.

The pattern: Dominance is consistent across any dataset, reinforcing the gap between the two sides.

Who owns St Patrick’s Athletic?

St Patrick’s Athletic is majority-owned by an American investment group called Quadrant Management. The takeover occurred in 2021 through a US-based consortium, as recorded in public documentation (Wikipedia). In early reports, the name Michael O’Leary (of Ryanair) was sometimes linked to the club, but that connection has not been confirmed. The ownership structure is not fully transparent—exact percentages and investor identities remain unclear.

The club’s official site (St Patrick’s Athletic FC) features news updates but does not publish detailed ownership filings. For fans seeking clarity, the bottom line is that the club is under American ownership, with Quadrant Management as the public face.

The implication: While Quadrant Management is the known owner, the full detail remains opaque.

What is the head to head record between St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers?

The head-to-head record depends on which source you consult and what time frame is used. According to AIScore, across 89 matches since 2004, Shamrock Rovers have 39 wins, St Patrick’s Athletic have 26, and there have been 24 draws. FotMob reports a different split: 31 wins for Rovers, 16 for Pat’s, and 19 draws—presumably reflecting a different cutoff or including fewer competitions.

The most recent league meetings heavily favor Shamrock Rovers:

• 19 May 2025: Shamrock Rovers 4-0 St Patrick’s Athletic (BBC Sport)
• 20 February 2026: Shamrock Rovers 2-0 St Patrick’s Athletic (Sky Sports)
• 29 May 2026: Shamrock Rovers 1-0 St Patrick’s Athletic (Sofascore)

The pattern is clear: while the overall numbers vary slightly by source, Shamrock Rovers have a decisive advantage in the all-time series.

Comparison of the two clubs across key head-to-head metrics.

Where can I watch St Patrick’s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers?

Matches in the League of Ireland Premier Division are broadcast through several channels. In Ireland, RTÉ and Virgin Media often cover key fixtures, including Dublin derbies. Internationally, the league’s streaming platform LOI TV offers live broadcasts for subscribers.

For specific matches, the official club website of St Patrick’s Athletic (St Patrick’s Athletic FC) sometimes publishes broadcast times. For example, a July 2024 match had listed times of 10:40am, 6:30pm, and 2:45pm (local time). Sky Sports and BBC Sport also provide live coverage and highlights for selected games, especially those with title implications.

Fans looking for the next fixture should check ESPN for scheduled dates and times. The upcoming match on 10 April 2026 at Richmond Park will likely be available on LOI TV and potentially on Irish national television.

The take: Viewing options are diverse, ensuring fans can follow the rivalry.

The rivalry between St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers is more than just a Dublin derby—it’s a measure of how far each club has come. For Shamrock Rovers, maintaining this dominance is key to their title ambitions; for St Patrick’s Athletic, closing the gap means more than just pride—it’s about proving they belong at the top of Irish football. With the next meeting scheduled for 10 April 2026, the story continues.