League Report: Dundalk FC 0 - 1 Shelbourne FC
Shelbourne took a big step towards the Premier Division title with a win at Oriel Park Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)
Shelbourne recorded a gritty single goal victory over Dundalk at Oriel Park thanks to an early Aiden O'Brien strike.
When the Tolka Reds look back on a successful 2024 season, tonight will be an important night as they extended their lead at the top of the table to three points over a Derry City side who have an extra game played and who lost away tonight to Galway United.
The Tribesmen defeated Dundalk in The Lilywhites’ previous league encounter at Oriel Park three weeks ago and the home side got off to a bad start as Aiden O’Brien put the visitors in front with four minutes on the clock.
Moments after Andy Boyle had cleared a goal bound effort off the line, Ali Coote’s effort was repelled by Goddard's frame and before the keeper could reposition himself, former Republic of Ireland international Aiden O'Brien tucked the rebound to the net for his first league goal of the season.
The hosts bossed the rest of the half without really stretching the home defence too much further. In fact it was their own netminder who was called into action as he reacted smartly to deflect a Robbie Mahon effort around his post in the second half before he could only watch as sub Ryan O'Kane cracked a low effort off the inside of the post as Jon Daly’s men sought an equalizer to close the gap on Drogheda United at the foot of the table.
Their opponents meanwhile, tried to carve out a second to make their title push a little easier and Hayden Cann was well positioned to deny O’Brien a second as the summer transfer window signing nodded a header goalwards.
In truth, not a classic at Oriel Park and Shelbourne were content to close out the six minutes of injury time without major concern, bar a clever Kameron Ledwidge cover tackle as Dundalk broke on a rare counter attack.
Damien Duff’s troops march towards their first Premier Division title in almost 20 years as Dundalk slide towards the trapdoor of the First Division for the first time in a similar timeframe.
Next up for the beleaguered home side is that much publicised rearranged fixture with St Patrick's Athletic on Thursday night while Shelbourne travel to Bohemians the next night.
Dundalk: Felix Goddard; Andrew Boyle, Hayden Cann, Sean Keogh (Robert Benson 59), Daniel Pike; Aodh Dervin, Eoin Kenny (Scott McGill 69), John Mountney; Jamie Gullan, Daryl Horgan, Robert Mahon (Ryan O'Kane 69).
Subs not used: Ross Munro, Mayowa Animasahun, Luke Mulligan, Koen Oostenbrink, Josh O'Connor, Norman Garbett.
Booked: Eoin Kenny (49), Aodh Dervin (53), Robert Benson (62).
Sent off: None.
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Patrick Barrett, Sean Gannon, Shane Griffin, Tyreke Wilson (Kameron Ledwidge 77); Alistair Coote, Mark Coyle (Evan Caffrey 60), Jonathan Lunney (John O'Sullivan 83), Harry Wood (Matthew Smith 60); Aiden O'Brien, Rayhaan Tulloch (Liam Burt 77).
Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, Sam Bone, Cian Doyle, John Martin.
Booked: Mark Coyle (44), Alistair Coote (48), Sean Gannon (51), Tyreke Wilson (64), Liam Burt (90).
Sent off: None.
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
Attendance: 2234
extratime.com Player of the Match: Patrick Barrett
