UCD 1-2 Shelbourne (26-7-13)
By Aidan Geraghty @1895Aidan
Shelbourne moved up to ninth in the league and leapfrogged their
opponents, UCD, last night with a 2-1 win against the Students at the
Belfield Bowl. Seán Brennan and Dean Kelly got the goals for Shels after
former Internazionale trialist Craig Walsh put the hosts in front.
The match started very quietly; Shelbourne controlled possession but
didn't ever look like scoring. Lee Murtagh had a half-chance but Mark
McGinley smothered the ball before he could find his footing. The first
real chance of the game produced a goal, though. Craig Walsh was left in
acres of space by the Reds' centre-halves and he punished them by
sending the ball into the bottom corner. A beautiful strike to put UCD
ahead against the run of play. Soon after, Walsh had another opportunity
and he tried to do it again but Lee Murphy got down to tip it wide. The
Shels rearguard had a lacklustre opening half hour but it had to
tighten up to make a win possible.
On the stroke of half time, referee Seán Grant awarded Shelbourne a free
kick after some pushing and shoving between Adam Hanlon and Mark
Langtry. Both players tried to play on but Langtry threw an elbow
towards Hanlon. The referee, to his credit, took time to consult with
his linesman and he gave the UCD right-full a straight red card. Then,
as the whistle was nearly due to sound for the interval, Seán Brennan
carved open the UCD defence with a solo effort and he calmly placed it
into the top, right corner and over the head of McGinley.
To start the second half, Shelbourne were in complete control. They made
their intentions clear as, in the 53rd minute, Seán Brennan again
carved open the defence with a splitting pass to Hanlon on the right
wing. Hanlon then beat Seán Russell and Dean Kelly headed home from 6
yards to score on his return from injury, to the delight of the crowd
who were now behind the goal. The College again gave the Reds an
advantage in this match as James Kavanagh was said to have kicked out
off the ball. For the second time, the referee didn't see it and his
linesman pointed to his back pocket; instructing him to send Kavanagh
for an early shower.
UCD, despite being down two men, made it a nervy finish for Shelbourne.
They had a couple of corners and some half chances before Sean Grant
blew his whistle when the four minutes of injury time had elapsed. For
UCD, it's one step closer to the relegation zone and for Shels, it's the
first time in months they've been out of the relegation zone. What will
please Reds fans even more is the fact that Bohemians are now bottom
and don't look like improving a whole lot.
UCD: Mark McGinley; Mark Langtry, Hugh Douglas (Samir Belhout), David
O'Connor, Gareth Matthews; Craig Walsh (Cillian Morrison), Barry McCabe,
Seán Russell, James Kavanagh, Robbie Benson; Dean Clarke (Thomas Boyle)
Shelbourne: Lee Murphy; Brian Shortall (Robert Cornwall), Pat Flynn,
Adam O'Connor, Derek Doyle; Seán Brennan, Stephen Hurley, Glenn Cronin,
Adam Hanlon; Dean Kelly (Darren Tinnelly), Lee Murtagh.
Referee: Seán Grant.
Attendance: 602
OnTheSidelines' man of the match: Seán Brennan (Shelbourne): The
Drogheda man caused problems for UCD all night. He started on the right
wing but ended up in an attacking midfield role but regardless of
position, his mazy runs and defence splitting passes accounted for both
of his team's goals.
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