Shelbourne 4 - 0 Mervue United

• Niall Farrell
• Fri, Jun 10 2011


A superb hat-trick from Philly Hughes gave Shelbourne a comfortable win over Mervue United at Tolka Park on Friday evening, with Conan Byrne adding on a fourth goal with less than fifteen minutes left.

The early stages of the match were blighted by a fifteen-minute downpour of rain, which forced both sides into playing more long balls. Conan Byrne had a chance after a quarter of an hour when the ball fell to him from a cross. Byrne's volleyed shot hit the ground first though and was an easy save for TJ Forde.

A four minute brace from Philly Hughes made sure Shels had a handsome lead at half time. Hughes struck first in the 18th minute with a tap in from right in front of goal after Chris Mulhall put a low ball in across the mouth of the goal.

Shels made the most of their momentum, scoring again four minutes later. Hughes headed the ball against the post from a Lorcan Fitzgerald cross, it came back out and hit the back of Mervue 'keeper TJ Forde before rolling across the line.

Rory Gaffney had a real chance for Mervue on 31 minutes with the ball headed off the Shels line after the striker shot from 20 yards out with Dean Delany off his line. The day belonged to Shels though, and in particular Philip Hughes.

The striker continued his industrious form after the break thundering a free-kick off the wall two minutes into the new half. Seconds later he had a free header in front of goal but headed the ball well over.

After 57 minutes, Hughes distinguished any hopes Mervue may have had of getting their first point from a meeting with Shels by completing his hat-trick. David Cassidy, captain on the night for Shels, played a clever through ball past the Mervue back four to allow Hughes in clear on goal. Hughes showed remarkable cool to slot the ball calmly under the oncoming Forde.

Mervue, who fielded a depleted side, looked helpless to resist Shels in the second half. Conan Byrne made it 4-0 after 76 minutes. Chris Mulhall shot powerfully after cutting in from the left and Forde could only punch the ball over his own head. Conan Byrne was at hand at the left post to head the ball in.

The visitors did have a half-chance after 85 minutes, with Rory Gaffney and Jason Molloy both having shots in the box blocked after the ball was gifted to them by Shels. Stephen Paisley was able to clean up though, and Shels ran out 4-0 winners.

Shelbourne: Dean Delany; Ian Ryan, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Andy Boyle, Stephen Paisley; Kevin Dawson, Conan Byrne, David Cassidy [David McGill 67'], Brendan McGill [Barry Clancy HT], Philip Hughes [ Karl Bermingham 77'], Chris Mulhall.
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, Ray Scully, Colm James, Gareth Matthews.

Mervue United: TJ Forde; Kevin Crehan, Mark Ludden, Martin Conneely, Ger McGrath [Peter Dravins '79], Noel Varley, David O'Brien, John Mountney, Jason Molloy, Mike Tierney [Mike Collins 71']
Subs not used: Ger Hanley, Kenny Farrell, Paul Lawless

Referee: Jim McKell
Attendance: 540
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Philly Hughes