League Report: Shelbourne 2-0 Cobh Ramblers

Second-half goals from James English and Aidan Collins ensured Shelbourne secured a first league victory in five games, as they defeated a lifeless Cobh Ramblers 2-0 at Tolka Park on Friday evening as Owen Heary’s tenure as manager got off to a dream start.

In a first-half where chances were limited, the fans at Tolka Park where forced to wait 25 minutes for the game’s first effort when Jamie Doyle found English unmarked inside the Rams box and the forward’s headed effort forced a splendid save from Paul Hunt who tipped the ball over his crossbar.

From the resulting corner, Cobh failed to clear their lines before the ball fell to English on the edge of the box, but the striker failed to hit the target.

Minutes later, Adam O’Connor was next to go close for Shels when he struck from 25 yards, but the right-back’s effort sailed over the bar.

Despite being forced to defend for large periods, Cobh had a chance of their own as half-time approached, but Shane O’Connor failed to find a teammate with his dangerous free-kick before the ball sailed behind for a goal kick.

When the side’s emerged from the break, Owen Heary’s team talk appeared to inspire his side as less than 90 seconds later they broke the deadlock when Lorcan Shannon played a lovely reverse pass to English who took a touch before rounding Hunt and firing into an empty net.

The hosts doubled their advantage less than six minutes later when Shannon was again involved, this time his dangerous free-kick found Collins whose looping headed effort sailed over the head of Hunt and into the back of the visiting goal.

With the visitors struggling to create chances there only opportunity of the second-half arrived in the 59th minute, when Gary Comerford’s tame effort was easily gathered by Jack Brady.

Moments later, as Shelbourne went in search of a third goal that would kill off the tie, the Reds found an inspired Hunt in their way when the shot-stopper denied English from close range after Stephen Elliott found the forward unmarked with a lovely weighted cross. 

Four minutes later, Hunt was again called into action this time the keeper was forced to pluck a Gavin Boyne free-kick out of the top corner.

With the clock winding down and chances at a minimum, second-half substitute Cian Kavanagh tried luck from the edge of the box after a lovely one-two with English, but despite his effort taking a deflection the keeper easily claimed possession.

Despite the late pressure, Shelbourne failed to add a deserved third goal and they will travel to Athlone next Friday evening aiming to build on tonight’s victory while Cobh welcome Drogheda United to St Colman's Park next Saturday evening.

Shelbourne FC: Jack Brady; Adam O’Connor, Ryan Robinson, Aidan Collins (Robert O’Reilly 75), Alan Kehoe; Jamie Doyle, Daire Doyle, Gavin Boyne, Lorcan Shannon (Cian Kavanagh 84); James English, Stephen Elliott (Carl Walshe 79).

Subs Not Used: Greg Murray, Conor Keeley, Dylan Kavanagh, Ajibola Sule.

Yellow Cards: English (84).

Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt; Graham McCarthy, Ben O’Riordan, Charlie Fleming; Ian Mylod, Gary Comerford (Cian Kingston 69), Shane O’Connor, Kevin Mulcahy, Stephen Christopher (Eoin McGreevy 69); Jonathan Creamer (Markus Gustavsson 76).

Subs Not Used: David Browne, Adam O’Sullivan, Anthony O’Donnell, David Curran.

Yellow Cards: Gary Comerford (56), Ian Mylod (82), Graham McCarthy (86, 90+3).

Red Card: G McCarthy (90+3).

Attendance: 469.

Referee: Adriano Reale.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Lorcan Shannon (Shelbourne FC).

You can see Eoin Smith's pictures from the game here.