- Patrick O'Connor
- Sat, Apr 29 2023
Patrick O’ Connor reports from Tolka Park
Shelbourne began their Bank Holiday weekend double header set of fixtures with a perfect start when they had a thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory over Cork City at Tolka Park on Friday night.
The win takes them to 17 points and into a top four position in the league table for the first time this season. They will be now brimming with confidence when they travel to take on Drogheda United at Weavers Park on Monday evening.
City for their part continue to struggle to deal with the demands of the top flight and they can have no complaints over the result which now leaves them only three points ahead of fellow strugglers UCD who sit at the base of the table.
Shelbourne dominated possession for the first 25 minutes of the match and they looked very bright and inventive when on the ball. Their midfield was well on top of their subdued opponents, with Evan Caffrey and JJ Lunney in particular dictating the pace of the game.
Their problem area was further up the field however where they were forced to play without a recognised centre forward in the continuing absence of the injured Sean Boyd.
City started with 18-year-old debutant Daniel Moynihan in goals, but Shels never succeeded in testing him despite all their possession during this period.
The Leesiders were confined to some breakaway attacks where Ruairi Keating was particularly effective; one surging run and shot in the 40th minute needed Conor Kearns to be at his best to tip the ball away for a corner.
Colin Healy’s side certainly came much more into the game in the final 15 minutes of the opening half and with their defence continuing to snuff out any of Shelbourne’s efforts, they were more than happy to go into the break at 0-0.
The game turned against them immediately after the restart however when they went a goal down in the 47th minute.
The ball was worked to the impressive Matty Smyth inside the City box and after turning Cian Coleman with a dummy, he curled the ball into the top right-hand corner for a great goal.
The Reds began to turn the screw on a deflated City. They bombarded the away side and were unlucky not to see Moynihan red carded when he flattened Jack Moylan when the Shels number ten was straight through on goal in the 75th minute. The young keeper got away with a yellow card from referee Ray Matthews.
Moylan did get the better of Moynihan five minutes later however when he scored the insurance second goal.
A City player slipped while in possession and the lighting quick Moylan picked up the loose ball and ran 30m before sliding it past the young keeper to make it 2-0.
The visitors did score a consolation goal five minutes from time when substitute Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh was played through by Cian Murphy for a one-on-one with Kearns and he was coolness personified as he slipped the ball past him to make it 2-1.
The Reds did not look likely to cough up any more chances and they saw out the four minutes of added time to secure the three points to the delight of their supporters.
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Paddy Barrett, Luke Byrne, David Toure (JR Wilson 55), Tyreke Wilson, Evan Caffrey, JJ Lunney, Jad Hakiki (Brian McManus 78), Jack Moylan (Kyle Robinson 86), Kameron Ledwidge, Matty Smith.
Subs not used: Scott Van der Sluis (GK), Luke Browne, Andrew Quinn, Gbemi Arubi. Lewis Temple, Shane Griffin.
Booked: Jad Hakiki (28), Matty Smyth (30), Tyreke Wilson (50)
Cork City: Daniel Moynihan; Cian Coleman, Ally Gilchrist, Matt Healy (Joe O’ Brien-Whitmarsh 78), Josh Honohan; Aaron Bolger, Barry Coffey, Darragh Crowley, Ruairi Keating, Barry Coffey, Tunde Owolabi (Cian Murphy 64), Ethon Varian.
Subs not used: Jimmy Corcoran, Aaron Mannix, Gordon Walker, John O'Donovan, Albin Winbo, Daniel Krezic.
Booked: Aaron Bolger (51), Daniel Moynihan (74).
Referee: Ray Matthews
extratime.com Player of the Match: JJ Lunney (Shelbourne)
