IT'S A DIRTY JOB BUT EVERYBODY HAS TO DO IT

PADDY BARRETT reckons there is something beautiful about the ugly side of the game.

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

And if tapping into those values helps Shelbourne get back into the title race, and through their Champions League showdown with Linfield, he will gladly take it.

The powerhouse centre-back has made a timely return to the champions’ starting XI after missing 12 games in a row with a torn quad muscle.

The true extent of the injury was kept under wraps by Shels, with Barrett now revealing that he expected to be out for at least four months.

But he is back ahead of schedule having started the last two games, and he made his presence felt with a no-nonsense defensive display against St Pat's on Monday.

Shels dominated the first-half at Richmond Park and took the lead through Ali Coote but they were second best throughout the second-half, with St Pat's the dominant side.

Yet the Saints failed to capitalise as the Barrett-led Shels rearguard defended manfully to protect their lead and secure just a third win in 12 games.

Damien Duff's charges are 12-points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers and retaining the league title looks an extremely tall order, right now.

But ahead of a hectic schedule of domestic and European games, Barrett feels a return to some old-fashioned values will stand to the reigning champions.

He said: "In recent weeks and months we haven't had that side to us, that dirty side. Not the dirty side, I keep on saying the dirty side, but it’s a beautiful side.