Shamrock Rovers 0 Shelbourne 2Shelbourne failed to make inroads on Cork and Derry City despite outclassing Shamrock Rovers who, with their Australian-based part owner Ray Wilson in attendance, were keen to maintain a winning streak.
But it wasn't to be for the home side as Joseph Ndo's superb first-half goal and Jason Byrne's second-half penalty brought the curtain down on an impressive six-week unbeaten run since Wilson and the fans' 400 Club joined forces .
The deluge that fell throughout the day and which did so sporadically during the game ensured precise passing was at a premium. Time and again attacks by both teams were prematurely ended as the ball raced off the surface and failed to find its intended target.
The greasy pitch certainly played its part in Shelbourne's first attack. Colin Hawkins headed Bobby Ryan's free at goal and while the effort lacked power, it zipped off the surface and, after going through a sea of legs, almost caught goalkeeper Barry Murphy off guard.
Shelbourne had more possession and enjoyed the better chances in a disappointing stop-start opening period. Jason Byrne clipped a rising ball over the bar after 10 minutes and, midway through the half, captain Owen Heary pulled his header across goal when a more direct effort could have been profitable as Murphy was out of position. Rovers, though, were not without their own chances. The Shelbourne midfield were conceding little and, consequently, the home side were forced to produce much of their best work down the flanks.
Trevor Molloy shot just over after a fine counter-attack involving both Kieran Foley and Mark Quigley and, soon after, Alan Reynolds had to make a superb sliding tackle to dispossess Tony Sheridan who would have had a clear shot at Dean Delaney otherwise.
Shelbourne were rejoicing on the stroke of half-time as substitute Joseph Ndo worked his way into the box and tucked home a cool finish.
Shelbourne then put the result beyond doubt 13 minutes into the second half. Byrne, having dispossessed Willo McDonagh, was held back by the midfielder and the striker converted the resulting penalty to register his fourth goal in two games.
That goal drained Rovers and they spent much of the remainder of the game on the back foot. They saw a penalty appeal turned down by Alan Kelly late in the game, the referee adjudging that Dean Delaney got to the ball first before upending Lee Roche.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Sweetman, Shelley, McDonnell, Rutherford; McDonagh, Kenny, Molloy; Quigley, Sheridan; Foley. Subs: Roche for Sweetman (59), Treacy for Kenny (72), Douglas for Sheridan (85). Booked: Molloy (58).
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Rogers, Cahill; Ryan, Reynolds, Crawford, Hoolahan; Byrne, O'Neill. Subs: Ndo for Reynolds (39), Harris for Byrne (84), Baker for Ryan (87). Booked: Crawford (63), Byrne (74).
Referee: A Kelly (Cork).
