Sport

Perfect day for O'Brien

Shelbourne paid a heavy price for their lack of penetration at Turner's Cross yesterday when they lost all three points to a …

Mon Sept 17 2001 - 01:00

Shelbourne paid a heavy price for their lack of penetration at Turner's Cross yesterday when they lost all three points to a surprise goal from Cork City seven minutes from the end.

Cork's match-winner was newcomer Colin P O'Brien, who was introduced as a substitute for the injured James Mulligan after just 18 minutes. O'Brien (18), was making his home debut.

O'Brien popped up at the far post to meet an excellent cross from Alan Carey to head the ball past goalkeeper Steve Williams.

Shelbourne had controlled the game for all but the closing 15 minutes, but while much of Shelbourne's football was attractive and constructive, they played with Stephen Geoghegan playing a lone role at centre-forward.

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Clearly Shelbourne's tactics were designed to set up scoring chances for players breaking from midfield, and Davy Byrne almost made that approach pay off in the first half. He had a cracking shot from 30 yards turned aside spectacularly by goalkeeper Michael Devine, was denied a likely goal by a last-ditch tackle from Derek Coughlan deep inside the penalty area and headed over when, unmarked, he rose to meet a corner from Richie Baker.

The scoring hero is known as Colin P O'Brien to distinguish him from his fellow squad member Colin O'Brien, who is not related.

"The manager showed great faith in me. He gave me great encouragement after I played against St Pat's last week and said he would give me another chance soon. I hope my goal repaid him."

Manager Liam Murphy said: "He is not the finished article but he is a different type centre forward to the others we have. He is one for the future and we have a few more young fellows and I will not be afraid to throw them in."

If they all repay his faith in the manner of young O'Brien, then why should he be?

CORK CITY (3-5-2); Devine; Daly, Coughlan, O'Rourke; Carey, O'Grady, Flanagan, Cahill, Horgan; Morley, Mulligan. Sub; C.P.O'Brien for Mulligan 18.

SHELBOURNE (4-5-1); Williams; Heary, Doherty, Hutton, Minnock; D. Baker, B. Byrne, Fenlon, D. Byrne, R. Baker; Geoghegan. Subs; Hourihan for B. Byrne 27; Fitzpatrick for D. Baker 82.

Referee; J Feighery (Dublin).