Shelbourne 3 - 1 Athlone Town

A strong second half performance sent Shels through in the Leinster Senior Cup against Athlone Town in Tolka Park on Tuesday night.

A Sean Brennan goal was pegged back by Athlone's Ryan Coombes, sending the sides in level at the break. But after half-time Ian Ryan's goal and another from Brennan earned the Reds a win they thoroughly deserved.

Sean Brennan gave Shels the lead with a well-hit shot from about 25 yards out after 18 minutes, lighting up an otherwise dull first half. The lead only lasted two minutes though, with St. Pat's loanee Ryan Coombes heading in powerfully from a corner to equalise for Athlone.

Those goals in quick succession threatened to open the match up, but a lack of quality in both sides' play ensured that the score remained 1-1. Mark Leech had a terrific chance to score on 25 minutes, when he dribbled through two markers before scuffing his shot miserably wide right in front of Craig Sexton's goal.

Town had their chances too, with Jonathan Kelty heading the best of them wide from another corner after 35 minutes. Just before the break Sean Brennan had a great chance to put the Reds ahead, but opted to shoot straight at Craig Sexton instead of passing to the unmarked Darren Tinnelly in front of the Athlone goal.

Shels opened the second half at a much faster pace, though, and had taken the lead within five minutes. A corner was mis-hit by Darren Tinnelly close to goal, but Ian Ryan was on hand to smash the ball in.

Sean Brennan got a second goal on 59 minutes, but he was a bit luckier this time - flicking a mis-directed shot over Craig Sexton with his head. Shels were largely dominant from then on with Athlone having to wait a full half hour for their first shot on target of the half.

Despite the efforts of Alex Prizeman and Rob Cornwall, who consistently put in good crosses from the wing, and dominance of possession Shels couldn't add to their score. Nonetheless, the Reds can be satisfied with their first competitive win of the season.

Shelbourne: Ger Hanley; Rob Cornwall, Adam O'Connor, Ian Ryan, Philip McCabe; Alex Prizeman, Pat Flynn, Sean Brennan, Mark Leech (Jake Donnelly 81); Darren Tinnelly (Dean Kelly 64), Stephen Sheerin (Matthew Taylor 76).
Subs not used: Craig Mooney, Jack Memery, Stephen Hurley, Adam Hanlon.

Bookings: None.

Athlone Town: Craig Sexton; Niall Scullion, Neil Harney, Conor McMahon (Sadiq Oguntola 66), Warren Conroy (Roy King 46); Lee Dixon, Niall Lanigan, Btian Gill, Tzee Mustapha, Jonathan Kelty; Ryan Coombes (David Brookes 54).
Subs not used: TJ Forde, Garbhan Broughall, Roddy Collins, Ian Sweeney.

Bookings: Harney (33), Dixon (38), Coombes (53). 

Referee: Simon Rogers.

Attendance: 184 (official).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Rob Cornwall (Shelbourne).