EA Sports Cup Report: Shelbourne 0 - 0 Bohemians (Shels win 4-3 on penalties)

Shelbourne advanced to the quarter-finals of the EA Sports Cup thanks to a penalty shootout victory against Bohemians at Tolka Park on Monday night after both sides failed to score over the 120 minutes.

After suffering a crushing defeat to Shamrock Rovers on Friday night Keith Long made five changes to his Bohemians side and it was the visitors who made the brighter start with Roberto Lopes having the game's first effort on target after he volleyed an Anto Murphy long throw in towards goal. His effort from outside the box was easily gathered by Jack Brady.

Moments later, Kurtis Byrne had another opportunity for the visitors after the forward embarked on an excellent run, however, he could only fire wide from the edge of the box.

As the home side continued to struggle to create chances, the Gypsies had another great chance with just under 25 minutes played after Murphy played a one-two with Kurtis Byrne before firing a low cross across goal and despite Brady parrying his delivery, no Bohemians attacker followed in on possession.

Shelbourne’s best effort of the opening half arrived on the half hour mark when Jamie Doyle cut in from the left flank before firing a right footed from the edge of the box, but his effort was easily gathered by Dean Delaney in the visiting goal.

As Bohemians continued to press forward in search of the opening goal, Shelbourne defender Aidan Collins was forced into two excellent headed clearances from Lorcan Fitzgerald deliveries.

With half-time fast approaching the Gypsies were almost gifted the game's first goal. Collins handed possession to Jake Kelly deep inside the home penalty area, but Kelly failed to find the target from close range.

When the side’s emerged for the second-half Bohemians almost took the lead inside the opening 60 seconds, but Brady raced off his line to cut out the chance after Ayman Ben Mohamed failed to control possession close to goal.

Soon after, Shelbourne had an excellent opportunity of their own, some brilliant control by Jamie Doyle from a Lorcan Shannon cross. allowed the winger to cut across the edge of the box before forcing Delaney into a good stop.

Despite a strong effort from Jamie Doyle, Bohemians broke from the clearance and Lopes will feel he should have done better from inside the penalty area but the Gypsies skipper on the night, blasted over Brady’s crossbar.

With both sides continuing to attack from end to end as the half wore on, Murphy had another good effort for the visitors. The midfielder blazed wide a Fitzgerald corner from close range.

As Murphy continued to cause chaos with his long throw ins, Shelbourne was forced to scramble possession clear deep inside their own box before the recycled possession fell to Fitzgerald who flashed a left footed effort across goal.

With 20 minutes remaining, the game was halted due to a serious looking injury to Dylan Hayes and when play resumed Shelbourne had an instant chance to take the lead. Jamie Doyle found Robert O’Reilly free at the back post from a corner, but the central defender failed to direct his close range effort goalbound.

As injury-time fast approached an inspiring Delaney was determined not to be beaten and the shot-stopper pulled off an excellent triple save. First, he denied Shannon, whose bicycle kick was heading towards the far corner before two fantastic close range saves denied Robert Duggan what could have been a match winning goal before the right-back eventually fired wide.

In injury-time, the side’s exchanged changes first Mohamad long range effort was easily saved by Brady before James English fired wide from outside the box for Shelbourne.

Then right at the end of the regulation 90 the Gypsies had a brilliant chance to snatch victory, when Kurtis Byrne unleashed a wicked shot from 25 yards and despite the ball moving in the air Brady was able to palm the effort over the bar.

With chances few and far between during the opening period of extra-time, Bohemians fired over from distance while Cian Kavanagh also failed to find the target with a long range effort for the home side

Despite some good efforts in the second half of extra-time from the visitors, they failed to find the target with both Kurtis Byrne and Dan Byrne heading wide. 

After both sides’ converted their first two penalty kicks up stepped the goalkeepers with Brady and Delaney saving the next four spot kicks. Both Paddy Kavanagh and Fitzgerald unsuccessful for Bohemians while Cian Kavanagh and James English saw their effort saved.

In sudden death, Daire Doyle calmly slotted home for Shelbourne before Keith Buckley blazed over to send Shelbourne into the quarter-final draw.

Shelbourne: Jack Brady; Robert Duggan, Robert O’Reilly, Aidan Collins (Adam O’Connor 48), Dylan Kavanagh; Lorcan Shannon (Gareth Coughlan 114), Daire Doyle, Cian Kavanagh, Gavin Boyne, Jamie Doyle; Stephen Elliott (James English 67)

Subs Not Used: Greg Murray, Dylan Grimes, Sodiq Oguntola, Carl Walshe

Yellow Cards: None.

Bohemians: Dean Delaney; Stephen Best, Dylan Hayes (Patrick Kavanagh 80), Daniel Byrne, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Ayman Ben Mohamed, Keith Buckley, Roberto Lopes, Jake Kelly (Adam Evans 58 [Mark Quigley 97]), Anto Murphy; Kurtis Byrne

Subs Not Used: Lee Stacey, Derek Prendergast, Paul Rooney, James Kavanagh, Mark Quigley

Yellow Cards: Roberto Lopes (45), Kurtis Byrne (90+3)

Referee: Tomas Connolly

Attendance: 687

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Jack Brady (Shelbourne FC)

You can view Martin Doherty and Tom Beary's pictures from the game here.