REPORT: Shelbourne 0 - 0 Dundalk

Shelbourne fans watched a great chance of an opening night victory slip away against nine man Dundalk at Tolka Park on Friday night.

Dundalk keeper’ Chris Bennion had been dismissed late in the first half for handling outside the box with Anto Flood through on goal, and defender Ben Whelehan went off injured with John Gill already having used his allowed three substitutes.

Dundalk’s travelling support were vocal from the outset, and seemed confident of a win. Indeed Dundalk seemed set up to attack from the start. A Dundalk free just inside Shels’ half saw nine men attacking it. Sadly, however, it was a false dawn. What ensued was a tactical game in which Dundalk, in the first half at least, rarely ventured outside their half. A free kick from a similar position on the half hour saw Dundalk present far less players in Shels’ box. The threat of Anthony Flood and David Freeman kept the Lilywhites defence firmly concentrating on the task of a clean sheet it appeared.

A dour first half sparked into life in the 40th minute as Flood found himself played in behind the defence by Greg O’Halloran only to see Bennion rush off his line and handle outside the area. Being last man back, Bennion was shown a straight red card The resulting free, taken by the impressive James Chambers, was heading goal-wards but for the cool save from substitute keeper’ Aaron Shanahan.

Paranoia filled the stands of the home support as Flood was taken out by Whelehan on the stroke of half time, with many feeling the he was being singled out for special treatment. However, perhaps luckily, the half ended before any more tackles were made. But referee Neil Doyle faced a tirade from Dundalk’s David Crawley as the two sides retreated for the break. Aiden Lynch managed to calm matters and peace was restored, if only for fifteen minutes.

After the interval it was the ten men of Dundalk who should have taken the lead through David O’Connor, only to see his placed shot saved after Robert Martin had nearly won a free header in front of goal. This was Dundalk’s best spell of the game as Whelehan’s volley was tipped over, only a minute after Marney had seen his header fly just over the bar. Shels’ regrouped though and it was they who had the next chance.

On 55 minutes, Flood met Alan Murphy’s cross with a fine header, which was denied by the woodwork. Shels’ were enjoying plenty of possession but struggled to break down a defence, which was very well organised, despite the numerical disadvantage.

In a rare foray forward on 80 minutes, Dundalk’s Robert Martin won a free in a dangerous area, resulting in a fantastic save after a great volley from Ian Ryan. The resulting corner saw David O’Connor head against the bar, in what would have been massive blow to Shels’. However the final ten minutes saw Dundalk sitting deep within their own half as Shels’ sought a winner. With seven minutes to play, Whelehan had to be taken off injured and having used up his substitutes at half time, Gill had to watch nine men try to hang on.

But hang on they did, and Dundalk will be the happier of the two with the draw.

Shelbourne: Dean Delany; Alan Murphy, Alan Keely, Damien Brennan, Robbie Hedderman (Mark Rutherford 55); James Chambers (Alan Mulcahy 80), David McGill (Philip Hughes 70), Greg O’Halloran, James Keddy; David Freeman, Anto Flood.
Sub not used: John McGuinness, Alan Byrne.

Dundalk FC: Chris Bennion; John Flanagan (Ian Ryan 46), David Crawley, Aidan Lynch, Ben Whelehan; Paul Shiels, Jamie Duffy (Paul Marney 46), David Cassidy, Robbie Farrell (Aaron Shanahan 41); Robbie Martin, Dave O’Connor.
Subs not used: Paul Smyth, Trevor Vaughan.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 1,606

Extratime Man of the Match: Aiden Lynch. The Lilywhites defender faced a difficult shift against a far more adventurous side then his and can have great pride in the final score.