- Andrew Dempsey
- Sat, May 04 2019
Andrew Dempsey reports from Stradbrook Road
Shelbourne's promotion hopes received another blow on Friday evening at Stradbrook as they fell to a bitterly disappointing Dublin Derby 1-0 defeat to Cabinteely who keep their own First Division title challenge going.
A Kieran Marty Waters opener was key as Stephen McGuinness proved to be critical with a second save from the spot in as many days to see Cabo move four points clear of their northside rivals Shels.
Both sides came into Friday night’s clash with a point to prove as second met third under the lights at a well populated Southside venue.
Cabo made three changes from last week’s draw in Bray in the East Coast Derby as Eoin Massey, Alex Aspil and Jack Hudson all came in for Daniel Blackbyrne, Jack Watson and Jonny Carlin.
The Reds meanwhile opted for two alterations from their most recent win over the Galway United with Alex O’Hanlon and John Ross Wilson coming out for Aiden Friel and Ciaran Kilduff.
With so many changes for both sides, you would have been forgiven for thinking the opening period might have been a slow burner, however, this could not have been any further form the truth.
Keith Dalton picked up a Jack Hudson clearance before sending through the mercurial Rob Manley. Colin McCabe saved at point blank range from the First Division’s top scorer before Kieran Marty Waters smashed home the opener after just two minutes.
Just moments after taking the lead, Cabinteely’s inexperience was almost punished dearly. James English got in front of 18-year-old Vilius Labutis before being pulled down by the midfielder at the edge of the box.
Referee David Dunne had no hesitation in pointing to the spot as Lorcan Fitzgerald stepped from twelve yards. However, Stephen McGuinness got down well to save a poor strike from the experienced full-back.
Shelbourne were the better side for the majority of the opening stages of the first half and really should have levelled halfway through. Fitzgerald’s corner was met by the towering head of Kilduff who forced McGuinness to tip the ball onto the bar.
The resulting rebound was met by the lively Ryan Brennan who looked set to score but it was somehow kept out by a combination of some frantic defending and a bit of luck on Cabo’s part.
Shels continued to press and through the livewire Brennan, they created the best opportunity of the game from play just before the break. The ex-St Patrick’s Athletic star fed in Karl Moore, and with the goal at his mercy, Conor Keeley kept the ball out of the net with a last-ditch clearance.
Tangled up in the net for his troubles, it was a telling block that proved significant as Cabinteely held firm going into the break. Rob Manley went close for Cabinteely in the last act of the half after pickpocketing a Shelbourne defender, but McCabe saved well.
Shelbourne continued to probe during the opening stages of the second period, but they were denied by the linesman’s flag. Fitzgerald’s set piece was met by a Shels head before being turned in at the back post only to be ultimately stopped by the officials.
Cabo continued to feel the heat and were perhaps fortunate to see the score remain level as Kilduff fired straight at McGuinness who was far too busy than he would have hoped for after James English fed in the 2009 First Division winner.
After owning the ball and territory, Shelbourne’s threat began to diminish as the second period wore on with Cabinteely growing more into the game during the closing stages.
With the clock ticking down, Cabo boss Devlin was sent off after what appeared to be a verbal altercation with the fourth official but it didn’t affect his side that is showing maturity well beyond their tender years.
And it was Cabinteely who held out in the end as Shels were somehow denied in a fiercely competitiveby a fine defensive performance from the Southsiders with the graft of goalscoring hero, Kieran Marty Waters proving to be telling throughout.
Cabinteely: Stephen McGuinness; Jack Tuite, Eoin Massey, Conor Keeley, Alex Aspil (Sean Hurley, 62) Jack Hudson (Luke Clucas, 82); Zak O'Neill, Vilius Labutis, Keith Dalton (Shane Barnes, 90+2), Kieran 'Marty' Waters; Rob Manley.
Subs not used: Peter Quinlan, Ronan O'Kelly, Sean Fitzpatrick, Robert Dunne.
Booked: Alex Aspil (26), Conor Keeley (89).
Shelbourne: Colin McCabe; Luke Byrne, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Aidan Friel, Derek Prendergast; Ryan Brennan, Oscar Brennan, Daniel McKenna, Karl Moore (Darragh Noone, 87); James English (Conan Byrne, 75), Ciarán Kilduff.
Subs not used: Daniel Byrne, Dean Delany, Flavio Marku, Alex O'Hanlon, Dayle Rooney.
Booked: Lorcan Fitzgerald (71), Derek Prendergast (73).
Referee: David Dunne
Attendance: 650 (estimate).
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Kieran Marty Waters (Cabinteely).
