Shelbourne outclass Cabinteely for precious three points

Shelbourne picked up their first three points since late March after a fine performance against seventh place Cabinteely. Coincidentally, those last three points were picked up in the reverse fixture against the visitors to Tolka Park. The win will also ease the pressure somewhat on manager, Kevin Doherty. He will be hoping that this victory will the put the life back into his squad as they try to move forward after a tough couple of weeks.

The first half started well for the home side. Shelbourne poured the pressure on their visitors from the off. Wingers, Gareth Coughlan and Dylan McGlade troubled the Cabinteely defense on numerous occasions, shifting sides and connecting with some lovely passes to Mark Sandford. The forward covered every blade of grass on the pitch in an effort to win the ball for his side.

The home side’s pressure paid off just before half time. Defender, Adam O’Connor picked up the ball on the edge of the box. With plenty of time to shoot, O’Connor hit the ball with a soft touch of his right foot. His effort crept past Cabinteely keeper, Even Whelan and into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Cabinteely also had some chances to get into the game. However, they just couldn’t make their efforts work. John McKeown was allowed too much space in the box with the ball early on. Fortunately for Shels, the midfielder scuffed his effort and the home side were able to clear the ball.

It was all Shelbourne in the second half. The home side had most of the possession and were constantly attacking their visitors whenever the chance came begging. They were unlucky to add a second goal to their tally. Their best effort was a Conor Earley free kick from the edge of the area. His effort went just over the crossbar. There was also a penalty shout in the dying moments of the game. Craig Walsh looked to be taken down in the box. However, the referee saw it differently and showed the midfielder a yellow card for a dive.

Cabinteely could have snuck a goal in before full-time to take an undeserving point away from Tolka Park. Midfielder, Evan Finnegan, was allowed plenty of time on the ball on the edge of the box. He struck his effort low and hard but it went across the box and inches wide of the post. Shelbourne held off the late attack and secured a precious three points.

Hero

Mark Sandford. The striker was unlucky to be taken off after 63 minutes. However, he had done enough in that time and probably should have put his name on the scoresheet. He was tracking down the ball at every effort and put the Cabinteely defense under pressure whenever he could. A fine display by the young striker.

Zero

Victor Ekanem and Robert Maloney. The central defenders were beaten multiple times by Mark Sandford and Philly Hughes. They were lucky not to concede more goals throughout the game as Shelbourne were relentless in pursuing for a second.

The Crowd Pleaser

The home fans were happy to see their side play some exciting football following last week’s poor showing. However, the pieces of skill that impressed the crowd were undoubtedly, the beautiful long passes made by Dylan McGlade. The winger’s passes were impressive and nearly all of them landed at the feet of their intended target. It was definitely an improvement on last week’s display and got the crowd buzzing.

Best Battle

Dylan Mc Glade vs Daniel Campbell and Jamie McGlynn. The Shels winger zipped past the two full backs several times and made it look easy. Between changing flanks with his partner on the wing, Gareth Coughlan, McGlade managed to work the ball into the box several times and made some perfect long passes to the feet of Sandford and Hughes.

What Happens Next?

With this win Shelbourne end a streak of four league games without a victory. Their next fixture is an away tie against Athlone Town. The reverse fixture ended with a 3-1 win for The Town in Tolka Park, a rarity. The Drumcondra side now move up a spot in the table from sixth to fifth after Cobh Rambler’s lost away to Wexford Youths.

Cabinteely stay put in seventh place with eight points, one ahead of bottom side, Waterford United who held Finn Harps to a 2-2 draw at Finn Park. It’s the clash of the bottom two next week as Cabinteely travel to Waterford United for their next league tie.

SHELBOURNE: Murray, O’Connor, Osam, Robinson, Heaney, Doyle (C), Coughlan (Earley 67′), Walsh, Hughes, Sandford (O’Sullivan 63′), McGlade

Substitutes: Brady, Donnelly, Crowe, Kehoe, Gannon
Goals: O’Connor (41′)
Yellow Cards: Doyle (13′), Coughlan (42′), Robinson (60′), Walsh (87′)

Cabinteely: Whelan, Campbell (Cairns 76′), McGlynn, Ekanem, Maloney(C), Finnegan, Brilly, McKeown (Mazono 44′), Pender, Hanley, Foley (Fahy 66′)

Substitutes: J. Broderick, R. Broderick, Cairns, O’Neill, Hyland

Referee: David Keeler

Attendance: 391

UCD pile more misery onto hopeless Shels

Another week and another defeat for Shelbourne, their fourth in a row. Tensions will be high in Tolka Park and it nearly boiled over as a home fan approached manager Kevin Doherty just before the final whistle and vented his frustration regarding the team’s performance. UCD will be undoubtedly happy to revenge their earlier loss in season and put themselves into contention in the promotion race.

The first half was full of drama as UCD put themselves 2-0 up after only 20 minutes. Captain Chris Mulhall put the visitors into the lead after a fine leap into the air, the ball meeting his boot and putting it past Shels’ keeper Greg Murray. Murray will be particularly disappointed to let that goal get in. It wasn’t too much long later that UCD got their second goal of the game. Gary O’Neill picked up the ball at the centre circle and found Jack Watson, who had plenty of space to head the ball over a rushing Murray. Manager, Kevin Doherty became unusually quiet on the sidelines. His assistant John Martin, proceeded to give the instructions from the sideline. Even a word in the ear from Philly Hughes couldn’t get Doherty’s mood to change.

With just over 5 minutes remaining in the half, UCD’s O’Neill went in hard on Jake Donnelly, sending the Shels’ midfielder crashing into the ground. The referee went straight to his pocket and brandished the red card. O’Neill was off for an early bath despite his bit of excellence earlier in the game.

Shelbourne did pick up the pace a bit in the second half but there was not enough fire power to get them back in the game. They had several efforts on goal but failed to hit the target except on the odd occasion. The home home side also managed to work the ball into the box and had plenty of chances to shoot but none of the players would take the chance under pressure. Gareth Coughlan nearly got a goal for the home side in added time but his effort was cleared off the line at the last moment.

Hero

UCD captain Chris Mulhall impressed and he topped off a good display with a fine goal that lead his team to victory. He lead by example and kept the pressure on his team to keep up the pace and attack the home side.

Zero

Gary O’Neill – The midfielder tarnished his perfect assist earlier in the half with a very late tackle on Jake Donnelly. It was definitely worthy of a red card and he was lucky that his team was already two goals to the good.

The Crowd Pleaser

Without doubt Jack Watson’s goal stunned the crowd. The only thing the home fans could do was applaud as it was a fine effort. Shels fans will hope to see like goals like that as the season goes on. In the meantime, they are just hoping their team can score at all.

Best Battle

UCD vs Shelbourne’s defense. The Students exposed the weakness of the Shels defense several times and managed to weave their way into the box from the left flank. This area the pitch has been exposed a few times against Shels in recent fixtures and will definitely need to be worked on by Doherty and his staff.

What Happens Next?

With this defeat Shelbourne still sit in fifth place in the league but should Cobh Ramblers come away with a win or a draw in their next fixture then Shels will drop to sixth. Their next fixture is a home tie against Cabinteely. The fixture is a must win. Another defeat could cost Shels their promotion ambition and will really put the pressure on manager, Kevin Doherty.

UCD move into third with this victory on goal difference at the expense of Athlone Town. The Town can reclaim that spot with a win over Cobh tomorrow. The Students next fixture is another away fixture, this time to Athlone Town. A fixture that could see the Students kick start their own promotion bid.

SHELBOURNE: Murray, O’Connor, Osam, Crowe (Doyle 34′), Heaney, Donnelly (Earley 69′), Coughlan, Walsh, Andrews (C) (Hughes 45′), Sandford, McGlade

Substitutes: Donnelly, Earley, O’Sullivan, Kehoe, Robinson
Yellow Cards: Crowe (25′), Doyle (50′), O’Connor (56′), Coughlan (71′)

UCD: Corbett, Langtry, Leahy, Boyle, McLaughlin, O’Neill, Watts, Mulhall (C), Watson, Swan (Cannon 81′), Doyle (Benson 57′)

Substitutes: Mackey, Coyne, Tobin, Kougoun, Cannon, Kirwan
Goals: Mulhall (10′), Watson (19′)
Yellow Cards: McLaughlin (90′)
Red Cards: O’Neill (37′)

Referee: Marc Lynch

Attendance: 552