League Report: Shelbourne 5 - 2 Wexford

Andrew Dempsey reports from Tolka Park

Shelbourne have put one hand firmly on the First Division title thanks to a briefly tense 5-2 win over bottom of the table Wexford. 

A Ciaran Kilduff brace and a Ryan Brennan header sent the Reds three clear before the break but Danny Furlong attempted to make hearts flutter in the opening stages of the second half scoring twice to bring the deficit to just one ahead of the final half-hour. 

However, a Jaze Kabia double, helped in no small part by sub Denzil Fernandes, ensured Shels have gone eight points clear at the top of the First Division table after Drogheda United and Cabinteely played out a scoreless draw at United Park.   

Despite much of their sloppy early play in possession, Shels took the lead after just ten minutes through Kilduff who headed home his 10thof the season from close-range. 

Lorcan Fitzgerald got free on the left after a Daniel McKenna delivery broke down before sending the ball into the unmarked Kilduff to score.

It could have got worse moments later after Kabia looked to have put the ball on a plate for Shane Farrell, but the youngster was unable to turn the ball home having been pressurised by a Wexford defender. 

It was all the Reds from that moment on and it was Ryan Brennan who added a second just before the half-hour mark. 

The former St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder saw glancing header fire past Jason McGuire who was left rooted to the spot as Ian Morris saw his side grab a deserved second of the night. 

Bad went to much, much worse for the Slaneysiders minutes after the half-hour when Ryan Brennan was adjudged to have been comically taken down at the edge of the penalty area. 



Referee Jason Mannix awarded a spot-kick that Kilduff stepped up to slot his second of the night home past McGuire who was enduring a torrid night at the office along with his Wexford defence.

Morris’ side continued to press before the break as Kilduff saw a header hit the side-netting after going close just moments before as the Reds intensified their efforts in searching for a fourth. 

Farrell’s late free-kick was the last meaningful effort on goal of the half as Wexford boss Brian O’Sullivan was left to try and pick up his side for the second 45 at Tolka Park.     

Having been off the pace for the majority of the opening half, Wexford produced a reaction in the opening stages of the second half as Thomas Croke forced a good save from Colin McCabe who had precious little to do beforehand. 

From the resulting corner, Emmet Nugent’s flick on was met at the back post by Danny Furlong who scored much to the bemusement of a previously vociferous home support. 

While the Reds may have thought little of the opening Wexford goal, they were stunned into action just before the hour mark when McCabe spilled Conor English’s effort and Furlong made no mistake to score his second of the night. 



Morris, forced into a reaction, brought on Denzil Fernandes and he had the desired effect just second after taking his place on the field of play. 

He easily breezed past the efforts of Ricky Fox on the right flank before dragging the ball back towards Kabia at the back post who made no mistake from close range to secure all three points for the Reds. 

The Slaneysiders kept pushing to their credit with Sean Roche’s effort on goal deflected wide, but it was in vain as Shelbourne grabbed their fifth of the night to rubber-stamp their authority on the game. 

Kabia was found free at the near post by Farrell whose cross from the right was headed home to add the gloss to the score-line on a night where things could have gone all so wrong for the Richmond Road outfit. 

Shelbourne: Colin McCabe; Lorcan Fitzgerald, Luke Byrne, Oscar Brennan; Alex O'Hanlon (Denzil Fernandes, 63), Karl Moore, Daniel McKenna, Shane Farrell, Ryan Brennan; Ciarán Kilduff, Jaze Kabia. 

Subs not used: Derek Prendergast, Greg Moorhouse, James English, Dean Delany, Conan Byrne, Sean Quinn. 
Booked: None.

Wexford: Jason McGuire; Dave Corish, Shane Griffin, Andrew O'Connor, Darryl Walsh; Paddy Cahill, Thomas Croke (John Peare, 78), Conor English (Sean Roche, 72), Ricky Fox, Conor Sutton (Emmet Nugent, 29); Danny Furlong. 

Subs not used: Lee Costello, Danny Doyle, Stephen Lawless. 

Booked: Andrew O’Connor (31), Thomas Croke (45), Ricky Fox (61). 

Referee: Jason Mannix

Attendance: 1,081

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Jaze Kabia (Shelbourne). 

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