League Report: Cork City 1-3 Shelbourne
Yousef Mahdy of Shelbourne scores the third goal for Shelbourne as they defeat COrk CIty 3-1 at TUrners Cross on Friday. Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)
Michael Cooke reports from Turners Cross
Shelbourne came from behind to secure their second win of the season when they defeated Cork City 3-1 at Turners Cross on Friday night.
Dylan McGlade scored City’s only goal from the penalty spot while Ally Gilchrist and Shane Farrell were both on target for the visitors before Yousef Mahdy embellished the scoreboard with a spot-kick of his own.
Shelbourne remain undefeated in the new campaign while the Leesiders have now suffered a third straight defeat.
City urgently needed to find the net tonight having drawn two blanks in their last 2 matches and while they took an early lead, the hosts had virtually nothing to shout about thereafter.
A spot-kick was awarded in the seventh minute after Cian Coleman was allegedly pushed by Maxim Kougoun and McGlade dispatched it beautifully from 12 yards.
Shelbourne then pressed for an equaliser and their efforts were rewarded 13 minutes later.
The Reds won a corner-kick where a sumptuous delivery from George Poynton was headed home by Ally Gilchrist.
Minutes later, Shane Farrell had a golden chance to give Shelbourne the lead and his attempt should have hit the back of the net but instead went across the face of the goal.
The Rebel Army were now under incessant pressure and suddenly the challenge was compounded when Jack Walsh received his marching orders from referee Marc Lynch, following a clash with Shane Farrell.
Shelbourne continued to dominate the game following Walsh’s dismissal, but the sides remained deadlocked at 1-1 at the half-time whistle.
Less than two minutes after the resumption, the Reds took the lead with Shane Farrell finding the net from close-range.
Shelbourne then had two great chances for a third goal with Farrell shooting wide from close-range and subsequently, Michael O’Connor’s header hit the post following an excellent cross from Dayle Rooney.
O’Connor later tried to make amends but his shot deflected off Jonas Hakkinen and Ally Gilchrist almost grabbed his second goal only for his header to be saved from the resulting corner kick.
City remained on the back foot and never looked like engineering an equaliser.
Shelbourne were in complete control and they doubled their advantage in the 90th minute when substitute Youssef Mahdy scored from 12 yards after he was brought down in the box.
The scoreboard wasn’t a true reflection of Shelbourne’s dominance and the Dubliners could have won by more but finished with two goals to spare.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Ronan Hurley, George Heaven, Jonas Hakkinen (Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh 77); Darragh Crowley (Cian Murphy 55), Cian Coleman, Alec Byrne, Dylan McGlade (Dale Holland 46), Gearóid Morrissey (c); Steven Beattie, Jack Walsh.
Subs not used: David Harrington, Cory Galvin, Jack Baxter, Issa Kargbo, Gordon Walker, Jamie Wynne.
Booked: Alec Byrne (25).
Sent off: Jack Walsh (32).
Shelbourne: Brendan Clarke; Kevin O'Connor, Maxim Kouogun, Ally Gilchrist, Michael Barker; Dayle Rooney, George Poynton (Yoyo Mahdy 60), Brian McManus, JJ Lunney, Shane Farrell (Alex Cetiner 90); Michael O'Connor (Ryan Brennan 69).
Subs not used: David Toure, Kyle O'Connor, Stephen Negru, Luke Byrne, Jack Brady, John Ross Wilson.
Booked: Michael O'Connor (56) .
Sent off: None.
Referee: Marc Lynch
Attendance: 0
