Shelbourne 3 - 1 Finn Harps

• Niall Farrell
• Fri, Sep 17 2010


Shels continued their fine form of late with a fine 3-1 win over Finn Harps in Tolka Park on Friday night.

Stephen Paisley and David Cassidy scored in the first half to give the Reds the a two goal lead before Mark Brolly clawed one back for Harps. Brian Farrell killed the game off late on.

Harps had a good start, with Stephen McLaughlin dribbling past Shels 'keeper Dean Delany on three minutes. His shot was hoofed off the line by Ian Ryan though.

First blood went to the home side though, and mainly thanks to a defensive mix-up. Cassidy robbed Mark Crossan of the ball, and then strode into the box and calmly passed the ball under Gavin Cullen.

On twenty-four minutes, Thomas Bonner forced a third goal-line clearance by Shels. He headed the ball against the ground from a cross, but it rebounded and Cassidy had to clear awkwardly.

The away side began brightly again, but it was easy to see why the have the second worst attack in the division. They had plenty of possession and time on the ball but couldn't take chances.

Harps may have had their chances, but the failure to take them ended up costing them dearly. Shels took a 2-0 lead just before half-time.

The Reds got a free-kick out wide on the left flank and Brian Farrell flicked the ball on. It hit the post, and Stephen Paisley was at hand to knock in his first Shels goal.

For all Shels' attacking prowess, their defence let Harps find a way back into the match on seventy minutes. Shels failed to clear their lines and Mark Brolly came in and struck the ball past Delany.

Minutes later though, Harps put themselves at a big disadvantage when Gary Whoriskey was sent off. He tangled with Colin O'Brien and was sent off for kicking the Shels midfielder on the ground.

Shels wrapped up the win with four minutes left. Substitute Colin O'Brien coasted past his marker and crossed at close range for Brian Farrell to tap in.

Shelbourne FC: Dean Delany, Mick Coburn, Sean Byrne [Stephen Quigley '81], Ian Ryan, Stephen Paisley, Paul Shiels, Ray Scully, David Cassidy, Brian Farrell, Marc Hughes, Eric Foley [Colin O'Brien '70]
Subs Not Used: Steve Williams, Gareth Whelan, Cillian Thompson

Finn Harps: Gavin Cullen, James Doherty, Matt Crossan, Gary Whoriskey, Packie Mailey, Thomas Bonner [Keith Cowan '81], Stephen McLaughlin [Gary Merritt '86], Mark Forker, Oisin McMenamin Shane O'Connor '56], Kevin McHugh, Mark Brolly
Subs Not Used: Ciaran Gallagher, Raymond Foy Shane O'Connor

Referee: Graham Kelly

Attendance: 631

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Ray Scully