Report: Shelbourne 0 - 0 Dundalk

Both sides made changes here with Alan Keely replacing the suspended Damien Brennan, Alan Byrne making way for Dean Laurence and Alan Murphy being replaced by Franco Georgescu for Shels’. Dundalk brought in Ben Whelehan and Trevor Vaughan for the injured duo Aiden Lynch and Robbie Martin. A win for Shels would see them leapfrog their oppositions and take top spot in the eircom First Division.

However, in front of a large crowd with a big media presence, (the only game in Dublin on Friday, how fickle journo’s are), neither side could find the breakthrough needed.

In a first half of very few chances, it was the hosts who looked more dangerous; with Georgescu’s first touch a particular highlight. However a mistake by James Chambers on two minutes, playing as a makeshift right back, almost allowed Tiernan Mulvenna in on goal, but after Chambers clean missed a high ball, Mulvenna was unable to control a bounce and Shels’ survived an early scare.

After that however Dundalk rarely pushed forward, with both sides playing the majority of the half in the centre of the pitch. A James Keddy corner on fifteen minutes almost resulted in a goal but Robbie Hedderman’s free header went wide.

The next clear chance didn’t come until the thirty eighth minute when Georgescu’s nippy footwork found some space in a crowded box however, once he had excellently turned, his curling shot bent just wide of the far post. A minute later and some more fine play by the Romanian played in Keddy however Ben Shanahan got across just in time to clear.

Just on half time Shels’ had another chance for a perhaps fortuitous goal as James Chambers’ cross from deep was looping in the far corner, but John Flanagan tracked back well to head the ball behind as both sides left the field at 0-0.

The second half started just as tight as the first, with both sides tentatively trying to play their way through a crowded midfield. The first real chance came when Georgescu managed to keep a ball in play and stand a cross up to the far post where Keddy’s free volley went miles over, however it dropped down from high at Georgescu’s feet and after more sublime skill he played in Mark O’Brien whose volley flew just over.

Two minutes later and Anthony Flood missed a free header right in front of goal, only managing to find the keeper, as Dundalk continued to battle well with Shels’ despite not having many chances in on goal.

Five substitutions in thirteen minutes, including Gary McCabe replacing the again non-scoring Flood, came before another decent chance materialised. Despite Mulvenna playing quite well and working very hard as a lone striker, it was substitute Paul Crowley who should have given Dundalk the lead on seventy two minutes. His instinctive control and turn at the edge of the area gave him room to bend a fine shot just wide of the far post with Dean Delaney well beaten.

It was Shels’ next who should have scored, with only ten minutes remaining. A diving Dean Laurence kept a David Freeman free just in play, but after Keddy spun and shot towards an empty goal Georgescu had no time to direct it on target and headed just wide from right in front of goal.

Both sides huffed and puffed but nothing of note happened as the clock ran down to a second 0-0 draw between these sides at Tolka Park this season. Then in the third minute of injury time Gary McCabe sent a fine ball into the unmarked Freeman but his header was straight at Chris Bennion.

Full Time, 0-0. Good news for Waterford and Sporting, alright news for Shels’ and Dundalk.

Shelbourne: Dean Delany; James Chambers, Alan Keely (Alan Byrne 40), Dean Lawrence, Robbie Hedderman; Andrei Georgescu, Mark O’Brien, David McGill, James Keddy; Anto Flood (Gary McCabe 72), David Freeman.
Subs not used: Fred Davis Jnr., Alan Murphy, Mark Rutherford.

Dundalk: Chris Bennion; John Flanagan, Ian Ryan, Ben Whelehan, David Crawley; Jamie Duffy (Paul Crowley 59), Paul Shiels, David Cassidy, Paul Smyth (Dave O’Connor 64); Trevor Vaughan (Robbie Farrell 78), Tiarnan Mulvenna.

Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan, Paul Marney.

Referee: Ian Stokes.

Attendance: 1,473

Man of the Match: 'Franco' Georgescu (Shelbourne) - Looks a fine player.