League Report: Shelbourne F.C 0 - 0 Shamrock Rovers B

This Dublin derby may have ended as it started, but both Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers B will feel like they left two points behind them in Tolka Park tonight.

A well-organised Rovers side were set up to counter-attack, and did so well. Shels had more clear chances to win the match, but lacked a cutting edge to their possession football.

A nervy start saw Shels almost giving away a goal in the opening minutes. Emeka Onwubiko almost capitalised on a defensive slip-up after five minutes. His chipped shot was cleared away by Adam O’Connor, with Greg Murray off his line.

Shels grew into the match, though, with most of the ground - and some of the players - thinking that Philip Hand’s well-hit 12th minute free-kick was in. It was only inches wide, in the end.

The home side had the better first half, but they missed chief goalscoring threat Dylan Connolly - absent through suspension. Shels struggled to finish off attacks, with Rovers set up to counter. Still, chances were rare for the Hoops in the first half - with Philip Hand and Adam O’Connor in industrious form at the back for Shels.

Lee Murtagh almost gave Shelbourne the lead three minutes into the second half, heading narrowly over from a corner. Willo McDonagh went close soon afterwards with an overhead kick right in front of the Rovers goal after a well-delivered Gareth Coughlan free-kick, but Shane Fagan was equal to it.

Daniel Purdy had a real chance to put the visitors ahead on 55 minutes, his long-range free bobbling just wide of Greg Murray’s goal. It looked like Shelbourne would make a breakthrough - but they consistently over-hit passes to break down attacking moves.

Purdy looked the most likely Rovers player to punish Shels for their inability to finish - his curling 63rd minute shot smacking the crossbar. That looked like it might spur Shels on to score, but still they struggled to break a resilient Rovers defence down.

On the counter-attack after a 72nd minute Hoops corner, the Reds looked like they would score when Lee Murtagh flicked the ball on for Gareth Coughlan. Sean Heaney did well to pressure Coughlan though, and his shot was well saved by Fagan.

With nine minutes left in the match, captain Brian Gannon spurned shat was arguably the best chance of the night for Shels. Unmarked in the Rovers box, he volleyed the ball over the bar from a corner. Shelbourne’s search for a winner grew increasingly desperate towards the end, but Rovers worked hard to frustrate them.

Shelbourne: Greg Murray; Brian Gannon, Adam O’Connor, Lee Desmond, Philip Hand; Gareth Coughlan (Jordan Keegan 73), William McDonagh (Simon Dixon 66), Stephen McDonnell, Keith Quinn, Darren Tinnelly (Dylan Cashin 46); Lee Murtagh.
Subs Not Used: Nathan Murphy (gk), Ryan Robinson, Jake Donnelly, Shane Dolan.
Booked: Desmond (32).

Shamrock Rovers B: Shane Fagan; Sean Heaney (Conor Dunne 77), Alan Keogh, Michael Kelly, Corie Treacy; Cian Kavanagh, Daniel Purdy, Ryan Doolin, Kevin Knight (Adam Whelan 73); Stephen Confrey, Emeka Onubiko (Mark Sandford 73).
Subs Not Used: Michael Kelly (gk), Jack Watson, Thomas Tiernan, Liam Traynor.

Booked: Doolin (22), Knight (52).

Referee: Simon Rogers.

Attendance: 829

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Philip Hand (Shelbourne)