Stephen Kenny returned to the dugout for his second match in charge of St Patrick's Athletic but there was more heartbreak for the former Ireland boss.
Kenny was unveiled as their new manager on a five-and-a-half year deal but his reign did not get off to an ideal start against Derry last week and things are not yet looking any better.
He was beaten by his former club 1-0 in his first fixture in charge, although he had little time on the training pitch to get his philosophy across.
Monday night's meeting with league leaders Shelbourne - managed by former Ireland protege Damien Duff - provided another tough test on paper and so it proved with Kenny's side again tasting defeat and in cruel fashion.
Shelbourne took the initiative when the in-form Sean Boyd made it four goals in four games, but the hosts responded in stunning style.
The first goal of the Stephen Kenny era is a special one 🔥
Jake Mulraney brings St Pat's level with a screamer 😮pic.twitter.com/zAmpuFleOu— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 20, 2024
Shelbourne retreated following Jake Mulraney's epic equaliser and looked to settle for the draw but caught Pat's off guard with a huge moment in the title race.
A sickener for Stephen Kenny 😳
Damien Duff's Shelbourne strike LATE for a huge win in the title race! pic.twitter.com/hXyFhADtfc— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 20, 2024
Evan Caffrey showed remarkable footwork and composure to set himself and find the corner to send the away end into raptures and consign Kenny to another loss.
Kenny cut a dejected figure as he lamented the nature of the winning goal in his post-match interview with Virgin Media.
We lost one or two players through injury tonight but we shouldn't concede the goal that we did," Kenny said.
"We should have been able to defend it better than we did.
Asked whether the players would need picking up ahead of their clash away to Bohemians on Friday, he stressed that his squad can learn from the heartbreak
"Everyone is disappointed of course, they can't believe it," he added.
"They did everything to get themselves back into the game but they can learn from that."
It is a quick turnaround for St Pat's, who will take on a Bohemians side which had the night off and will be raring to go after winning away to Sligo Rovers.
It is another huge win for Shels under Duff however, with Derry dropping points in second place after losing away to Shamrock Rovers.
