DUNDALK FC 0-0 SHELBOURNE
George Shelvey’s late stop ensured Dundalk’s long sequence without conceding a home goal continued as they played out a scoreless draw with SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division leaders Shelbourne at Oriel Park on Friday night.
Dundalk were the better team in the first half and could have been ahead at the break but Koen Oostenbrink miscued when well-placed before Jamie Gullan saw two shots saved by visiting ‘keeper Conor Kearns.
Shels improved following the resumption and, after Robbie Benson rifled a shot inches wide from range, Damien Duff’s side could have won it in the 88th minute but substitute Seán Boyd’s well-hit strike was beaten away by Shelvey.
The table toppers were on top in the final ten minutes but a hard-working Dundalk held firm to extend their unbeaten record at Oriel to five games, without conceding a goal in the process, as they moved to within two points of Drogheda United at the bottom of the table ahead of Monday’s Louth Derby on Boyneside.
Robbie Benson of Dundalk wears a shirt in support of Darkness into Light in the warm-up before the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shelbourne at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
For the game, manager Noel King made one change to the team that beat Bohemians 2-0 seven days earlier and it was an enforced one as Dara Keane, who withdrew early in that clash, was unable to overcome his injury and was replaced by Oostenbrink.
Shelbourne started on the front foot from kick-off but Dundalk had the first opportunity in the third minute when Archie Davies raced to the by-line and pulled the ball back for Oostenbrink but the Dutchman, in space, was unable to execute as he hit a wild effort.
Soon after, another raid down the right ended with Benson touching the ball on for Gullan who controlled well on the turn but Kearns got down to hold. Scott High then fired off target, in another positive start under the new boss.
Past the quarter-hour, Oostenbrink did well to keep a move going and Daryl Horgan turned sharply down the left before delivering to the back post where John Mountney headed towards the near corner but it trickled wide.
Jamie Gullan of Dundalk in action against JJ Lunney of Shelbourne during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shelbourne at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
On 32 minutes, after a period of pressure from Shelbourne, Dundalk were back on the attack. Gullan held it up well and found Mountney down the right, with the ball coming back to the Dundalk No9 who struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box which Kearns got behind well. Horgan then saw a header saved.
Early in the second half, Gullan had a shot blocked and Benson fired over. Past the hour mark, Shels made a double substitution with Boyd and Shane Farrell introduced for John Martin and Mattie Smith, and they became more threatening.
In a well-contested battle, The Reds were enjoying plenty of possession but Dundalk were still pushing for a lead goal. It almost came in the 71st minute when Benson unleashed a shot which flew narrowly off target. Two minutes later, Oostenbrink tried his luck but it was comfortable for Kearns.
Dundalk players and staff applaud toward the supporters after the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shelbourne at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
But as the game entered the final stages, Shels began to take a hold and they almost snatched all three points two minutes from the end of the 90 when Boyd connected well but his shot was pushed away by Shelvey. Boyd was then close to meeting Farrell’s cross but it just evaded him.
Dundalk are now approaching 500 minutes since they last conceded at Oriel Park, with left-back Zak Bradshaw – who was awarded the Value Centre Dundalk Man of the Match by the night’s Match Sponsors – again key to them keeping the back door shut.
DUNDALK FC: George Shelvey, Archie Davies, Zak Johnson, Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw, Scott High (Ryan O’Kane 90+3), Koen Oostenbrink (Hayden Muller 84), John Mountney (Sam Durrant 77), Robbie Benson, Daryl Horgan, Jamie Gullan (Eoin Kenny 90+3). Subs not used: Ross Munro (GK), Jamie Walker, Louie Annesley, Cami Elliott, Seán Keogh.
SHELBOURNE: Conor Kearns, Tyreke Wilson, Paddy Barrett, Gavin Molloy, Kameron Ledwidge, JJ Lunney (Dean Williams 83), Mark Coyle, Liam Burt (Evan Caffrey 75), Will Jarvis, Mattie Smith (Shane Farrell 61), John Martin (Seán Boyd 61). Subs not used: Lorcan Healy (GK), Jad Hakiki, John O’Sullivan, Keith Ward, Lewis Temple.
REFEREE: Eoghan O’Shea.
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