League Report: Dundalk FC 0 - 0 Shelbourne FC

A super late save from Brendan Clarke ensured a point for Shelbourne at Oriel Park

A super late save from Brendan Clarke ensured a point for Shelbourne at Oriel Park Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

A goalless encounter between Dundalk and Shelbourne at Casey’s Field on a wet Friday night ended on a sour note with a serious looking injury to Shelbourne defender Conor Kane.

The evening began with a change of referee,  Paul McLaughlin stepping in for Damien MacGraith ahead of kick off. On the playing side, there were changes abound in the home lineup in the aftermath of Monday’s defeat at Sligo. Out went the suspended Darragh Leahy, while Joe Adams dropped to the bench- the duo replaced by Sam Bone and Keith Ward respectively.

For Shelbourne, they too had a reshuffle due to suspension- Sean Boyd making way for Matty Smith. The other change following the late loss to Derry City saw Aodh Dervin taking his place in the starting XI with Kameron Ledwidge named amongst the substitutes.

A quiet opening half hour saw little in the way of real openings, Shane Farrell’s low angled drive was tipped around his post by Shepperd and Stephen Bradley nodded a header off his own line as Shelbourne sought the opening goal.

However, it wasn’t to be and the most controversial moments of the half came in the final few moments as Keith Ward found a gap in the Shelbourne defence only to be apparently tugged back by Luke Byrne as he stumbled into the penalty area. Paul McLaughlin wasn’t interested and the Shelbourne defence escaped.

Shelbourne did concede a free kick on the edge of their box in the final minute of the half, however Gavin Molloy may feel lucky to have remained on the field as John Martin- who shot narrowly wide when well placed earlier in the half- broke free.

The second half saw both goalkeepers displaying their wares as Brendan Clarke stood tall to deny Mountney from range- the Mayoman also hit the crossbar with a bouncing header- before Nathan Shepperd did well to block Jack Moylan’s effort and preserve his clean sheet.

With the minutes ticking towards the 90, David McMillan broke free in the Shelbourne box and stretched a left leg to poke an effort towards the bottom corner however Clarke thrust out a gloved hand to thwart the veteran striker and with that went any chance of a goal.

Conor Kane’s late injury was the final footnote on a night which won’t live long in the memory for both sets of players or supporters.

Dundalk:Nathan Shepperd; Sam Bone, Andy Boyle, Lewis Macari (Paul Doyle 82), Ryan O'Kane; Steven Bradley, Alfie Lewis, John Mountney (Joe Adams 65), Greg Sloggett, Keith Ward (Runar Hauge 76); John Martin (David McMillan 65).



Subs not used:Mark Byrne, Peter Cherrie, Brian Gartland.

Booked: Sam Bone (81).

Shelbourne:Brendan Clarke; Luke Byrne, Shane Griffin, Conor Kane (Aaron O'Driscoll 90), Gavin Molloy; Aodh Dervin, Shane Farrell, JJ Lunney, Brian McManus (Kameron Ledwidge 67), Jack Moylan; Matty Smith.

Subs not used:Scott Van der Sluis, Stephen Negru, Lewis Temple, Jad Hakiki, Josh Giurgi, Gavin Hodgins, Daniel Carr.

Booked:Gavin Molloy (45) .

Referee: Paul McLaughlin



Attendance: 2,343

extratime.com Player of the Match: Ryan O’Kane (Dundalk)

 

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