- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Jul 12 2019
Andrew Dempsey reports from Tolka Park
Shelbourne were denied their ninth win on the spin at the death as Stephen McGuinness saved sub Conan Byrne’s spot-kick with the last action of the game.
Karl Moore claimed the opener as the Reds went ahead with just over ten to play before Shane Barnes rifled home in injury time, but more drama ensued in the dying seconds.
McGuinness got down well to his left to save from the Shelbourne winger as Cabinteely secured a potentially vital point in their promotion hunt.
Fresh from a run of eight successive league wins, Shels began on the front foot and ought to have taken a quickfire lead through defender Daniel Byrne but he could only glance his header wide from Daniel McKenna's cross.
Cabinteely went mightily close minutes later through Rob Manley, who saw his thundering volley smack off the crossbar.
A long punt upfield was met by the head of Clucas who found Manley before the First Division top scorer saw his effort crash off the bar.
The ball then went out wide to Paul Fox who crossed into danger where the lively striker was unable to steer his header on target.
While Cabinteely pressed forward, the Reds provided a real threat on the break and James English saw his gilt-edged chance blazed over the bar just after the quarter hour mark.
Lorcan Fitzgerald burst down the left flank to find the winger who could not keep his effort down, much to the dismay of a fervent home support.
Ciaran Kilduff was the next to be denied by an alert McGuinness in the Cabinteely goal, with his header just being kept out by the former Drogheda United netminder.
An even better chance was to present itself moments later as Shane Farrell nicked the ball off Conor Keeley just past the halfway line, before the 19-year-old midfielder bore down on goal.
McGuinness was able to save however while English saw his rebound smothered by some frantic defending by the Green and Whites.
After a brief respite, Shels were denied the lead by referee Keith Kennedy when he adjudged Oscar Brennan to have fouled in possession as Kilduff was fed in clear on goal.
The 2009 First Division winner passed the ball into the back of the net but, after a series of brief celebrations, the Reds were denied by an unclear decision as both Cabo and Shels went in level at the break.
The second period began in a similar style to the opening half with both teams piling players forward. Manley went closest, forcing a smart save from Colin McCabe before Aidan Friel blocked Paul Fox’s rebound just after.
Cabinteely continued to assert their dominance in the opening quarter of the second half with the impressive Zak O’Neill firing over after some lovely jinking midfield play from the youngster.
The major talking point of the game was to come on the hour mark as Fox appeared to have been barged off the ball by a Shels defender. Referee Kennedy was unmoved despite the protests of Jack Tuite and Fox, who both were booked for their troubles.
Ian Morris responded by introducing winger Conan Byrne, who almost made an instant impact when he cut inside to shoot but his effort was saved comfortably, and midfielder Alex O'Hanlon.
With just under 20 minutes to play, Kilduff went close for the Reds but he could direct his header on target after some fine link-up play from the forward and Conan Byrne on the right.
The former St Patrick’s Athletic winger then forced a top class save from the busy McGuiness who tipped his shot wide after the 34-year-old cut in from wide.
With time running out for both sides, a goal appeared more and more likely and it arrived with just under ten minutes to play as Karl Moore claimed to get the final touch on Shane Farrell's shot.
Cabo, to their credit, huffed and puffed for the remaining few moments of the game and were rewarded as Shane Barnes rifled home with just moment to go after ghosting in on the right flank.
There was further drama to come as Shels were awarded a late penalty after an Eoin Massey handball. Up stepped sub Conan Byrne who saw his effort saved by McGuinness, who rounded off a fine man of the match performance.
The result sees Pat Devlin’s side extend their unbeaten run to six while Shels run has gone on to nine – with both sides still well in the hunt for the First Division title.
Shelbourne: Colin McCabe; Daniel Byrne, Luke Byrne, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Aidan Friel; Oscar Brennan, Shane Farrell, Daniel McKenna (Alex O’Hanlon, 61); James English (Conan Byrne, 61), Ciarán Kilduff, Karl Moore (Dayle Rooney, 80).
Subs not used: Dean Delany, Flavio Marku, Derek Prendergast, Greg Moorehouse.
Booked: Daniel McKenna (16), Daniel Byrne (86).
Cabinteely: Stephen McGuinness; Conor Keeley, Kevin Knight, Eoin Massey, Jack Tuite; Keith Dalton, Paul Fox (Shane Barnes, 80), Zak O'Neill (Alex Aspil, 67), Jack Watson; Luke Clucas (Yuta Sasaki, 67), Rob Manley.
Subs not used: Daniel Blackbyrne, Jack Hudson, Karl Manahan, Peter Quinlan.
Booked: Jack Tuite (60), Paul Fox (60), Eoin Massey (76), Alex Aspil (90+3), Jack Watson (90+4).
Referee: Keith Kennedy (IFA).
Attendance: 1,159.
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Stephen McGuiness (Cabinteely).
