League Report: Cabinteely 0 - 4 Shelbourne

Shelbourne eased into the play-off spots in the SSE Airtricity First Division on Saturday afternoon with a 4-0 away win over a frustrated Cabinteely side in Stradbrook.

Sodiq Oguntula returned to his former club with the opening goal as goals from James English, Carl Walshe and Dylan Grimes continued Shels’ recent good form in their push for promotion.

The early exchanges were hard-fought as both teams struggled to maintain possession and free kicks prevented the game from developing any rhythm. The early stages were summed up as a corner for Shels fooled the crowd into thinking they saw the first goal of the game only for the ball to travel along the top of the net as Lorcan Shannon’s cross went straight out of play.

Chances were few and far between in the first twenty minutes for both teams. Aaron Brilly tried to slip a neat ball through the Shels defence but Jack Brady was quickly out on top of the ball and, despite getting a free kick in a dangerous position outside the area, Dylan Kavanagh’s ball was easily cleared.

Sodiq Oguntula was growing into the game and put James English through down the left on twenty minutes but English slipped on a pitch affected by the overnight heavy rain. However, it wasn’t long before Shels took the lead.

Brilliant work from defender Dylan Kavanagh won the ball down the left as he cut back from the goal line to English. With an empty goal gaping, his shot cannoned off the crossbar. From the rebound, Oguntula was first to react as he headed past a helpless Michael Kelly in the Cabinteely goal.

As Shels pushed for a second, Aaron Collins’ header from a Daire Doyle free was deflected behind from a corner which Dylan Kavanagh swung into an imposing Conor Keely, who headed narrowly over.

Cabinteely were struggling to get into the game and despite picking up a good position outside the box Oscar Brennan failed to take advantage of the time afforded to him as he pulled his shot wide just after the half hour mark.

Dylan Kavangh has been doing his best to cement his position at left back for the Reds and he slipped Oguntula through again on 39 minutes. Oguntula did brilliant to get his way past Karl Byrne and fired a dangerous shot just wide of the post when you would have expected him to hit the target.

It wasn’t long though before Shels extended their lead. Oguntula started off an exceptional move when he superbly back heeled to Adam O’Connor who had made a great run from right back.

O’Connor then kept a cool head when he cut back to English who made no mistake this time after his earlier glaring miss to put the Reds two up just before half time.

As the second half progressed past the hour mark, Shels tried to extend their advantage as a low effort from Oguntula was parried away by Kelly and then a volley from Doyle sailed over the bar.

Lorcan Shannon was becoming ever present and fine work on the right wing resulted in a tantalizing low cross that evaded everyone.

With the Reds still two up, Cabinteely tried to force some momentum as they brought on Oliver Hamzat for the ineffective Brilly and an injury to captain Edward Mcdonagh saw him replaced by Andrew Wall.

Their attacking play could only muster a shot from Brennan from the right on 80 minutes, which was hit well, but Jack Byrne gathered easily.

Shelbourne were struggling to extend their advantage and goalscorer Oguntula went down injured to be replaced by Carl Walshe. It was a very impressive performance from Oguntula however, with an assist and a well-taken goal. He will be delighted having been drafted into the team after a spell out of the starting eleven.

Shels, however, did extend their lead on 87 minutes as great work from Shannon down the right led to him putting substitute Walshe clean through on goal and despite a heavy first touch, fired home past Kelly. Shannon signed off with the assist after a fine performance as he was taken off then for Dylan Grimes.

Dylan Grimes then got on the score sheet in injury time with his first goal for Shelbourne after a dramatic ending to the game. English was taken down in the box and after some hesitation the referee pointed to the spot. Gavin Boyne then stepped up to take it but saw his shot saved by Kelly.

Jamie Doyle then gathered the ball and made incisive run through the left side of the defence and saw his shot come off the post. Grimes reacted fastest to the rebound off the woodwork and slotted home to round off a convincing performance from the Reds.

Cabinteely: Michael Kelly, Karl Byrne, Llyod Cairns, Lee Mitchell, Edward Mcdonagh (Andrew Wall 68), Shane Boyle, Mark Slater, Oscar Brennan, Ben Hanrahan, Aaron Brilly (Oliver Hamzat 65), Kevin Knight.

Subs Not Used: Gavin Howard, Shane Heffernan, Michael Brown, Cathal Gillen.

Booked: None.

Shelbourne: Jack Brady, Adam O’Connor, Conor Keeley, Aidan Collins (Robert O’Reilly 88), Dylan Kavanagh, Daire Doyle, Gavin Boyne, Lorcan Shannon (Dylan Grimes 88), Jamie Doyle, James English, Sodiq Oguntula (Carl Walshe 82).

Subs not used: Greg Murray, Ryan Robinson, Alan Kehoe, Robert Duggan

Booked: None.

Referee: Michael Connolly.

Attendance: 520.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Sodiq Oguntula (Shelbourne).