Shelbourne remain on title trail as Burns lets loose

Goals don't come better than the one John Burns scored last night at Tolka Park to secure all three points and a massive win for Shelbourne against reigning champions Bohemians.

Just five minutes into the second half the former Nottingham Forest star unleashed an unstoppable drive from 25 yards which flew past Michael Dempsey into the top corner. It now leaves Stephen Kenny's side with a monumental task to retain their title as they trail Shelbourne by 15 points.

However, having fallen behind to Burns' stunner, the visitors were unfortunate not to get something from the game.

In the 55th minute Simon Webb was inches wide with a well-struck free-kick while Glen Crowe was equally close three minutes later having been released by Tony Folan. However, Pat Fenlon should have made life more comfortable for Shelbourne. He blazed over the top from six yards out in the 63rd minute.

But Bohemians' luck just wasn't in and in the 90th minute substitute Paul Byrne saw his 25-yard free-kick brilliantly tipped over by Steve Williams, while Gary O'Neill was inches wide in injury time.

It was always going to be a competitive game given that Shelbourne won an amazing game in Dalymount Park by a 6-4 scoreline earlier in the season.

Bohemians looked dangerous in a tight opening 45 minutes against a Shelbourne defence which was at times taking some unnecessary risks. However, Shelbourne could point to the fact they had two claims for a penalty turned down by referee Hugh Byrne who failed to point to the spot when Burns and later Stephen Geoghegan went down inside the box.

For the visitors, in that opening 45 minutes, the closest they came was as early as the 11th minute when Dave Morrison's 25-yard drive was inches wide.

And Crowe had two half chances to put his side ahead but failed to find the target on each occasion.

SHELBOURNE: Williams, Heary, Doherty, McCarthy, Hutton, Gannon, Burns, Fenlon, D Byrne, Geoghegan, Houlihan.

BOHEMIANS: Michael Dempsey, O'Connor, Webb, Hunt, Hawkins, John, Morrison, Harkin, O'Neill, Crowe, Folan. Subs: Byrne for Morrison, 76 mins; Caffrey for O'Connor 81; Shelley for Harkin 81.

Referee: Hugh Byrne (Dublin).