League Report: Shelbourne 4 - 0 Galway United

Patrick O Connor reports from Tolka Park

Shelbourne made a very clear statement of intent with a thoroughly convincing 4-0 rout of Galway United in Tolka Park tonight and on this form, they are certainly the leading contenders for the automatic promotion place back to the Premier Division.

This was a more than convincing performance by Ian Morris’s side as they were far superior to Galway in almost all areas of the field, and it will take a very good side to dethrone them from top spot in the division.

Galway played reasonably well for the opening 25 mins with Ruairi Keating in particular causing trouble to the Shels defence, but he lacked support up front and any of his attacks on the right flank came to nothing.

Galway were rocked back on their feet in the 25^th minute, a poor pass across the backline was intercepted by Michael O’Connor and after taking a touch he struck a shot past Conor Kearns for the opening goal of the match.

Galway did have a few half chances shortly after, Keating again the instigator when he played the ball across the box only to see Maurice Nugent fail to connect with the ball going agonisingly wide, while a few minutes later a McCormack cross into the box met a Galway players head but again it sailed wide of the post.

They were made to pay for these misses in the 41^st minute when John Ross Wilson, who was excellent throughout at right back, made a surging run into the box, the ball broke to O’Connor again and he scored albeit with the aid of a deflection.

Shelbourne continued to dominate after the resumption and the result was put beyond doubt in the 51^st minute when impressive striker Yoyo Mahdy, the former UCD player, swivelled in the box and hit a sweet shot past Kearns for the third goal.

Galway made a number of substitutions in the closing stages of the match and while Wilson Waweru and Mikey Rowe added a bit of bite to their attack, in truth they never really threatened Brendan Clarke in the Shels goal.

The icing was put on the cake for the home side in the 81^st minute, Shane Farrell made a great run down the right touchline, he slipped the ball to Wilson and he then neatly dinked the ball over Kearns and into the path of substitute Glen McCauley who tapped home from close range.

The extent of the superiority of Shelbourne over his team will be a worry for John Caulfield and his backroom staff, and on this form, they will be doing well to make it into the play off stages of the promotion race next Autumn.

Shelbourne on the other hand are in good health, they look strong in all departments, and while their closest rivals UCD also picked up three points tonight, they remain the only unbeaten team across both divisions and have a healthy five point lead at the top of the table.

Shelbourne: Brendan Clarke (gk); Kevin O Connor, Ally Gilchrist, Luke Byrne ©, John Ross Wilson (Michael Barker 88), Georgie Poynton, Yoyo Mahedy (Dayle Rooney 88), JJ Lumney, Shane Farrell (Alex Nolan 90), Michael O Connor (Glen McCauley, 80), Ryan Brennan.

Subs not used: Jack Brady (gk); Maxie Kouogun, Alex Ceitner, David Toure, Sean Quinn.

Booked: Shane Farrell (50)

Galway Utd: Conor Kearns (gk); Killian Brouder, Gary Boylan (Christophen Horgan 83), Carlton Ubaezuono, Shane Duggan © (Stephen Christopher 83), Mikey Place, Maurice Nugent, Conor McCormack , David Hurley (Mikie Rowe 56), Ruairi Keating, Padraig Cunnigham (Wilson Waweru, 56)

Subs not used: Kevin Horgan (Gk); Caolfhionn O Dea, Colin Kelly, Conor O Keeffe

Booked: Maurice Nugent (25), David Hurley (47), Conor McCormack (69), Mikey Rowe (78), Carlton Ubaezuouno (87).

Referee: Eoghan O Shea

Extratime.com Player of the Match: John Ross Wilson (Shelbourne)