Match Report by James Donnelly

Full match report on sseairtricityleague.ie

Shels took one step closer to the title after a 2-0 victory away to Longford Town tonight at the City Calling Stadium.

Shels controlled the majority of the first half. Enjoying a large share of the possession, they didn’t test Lee Steacy too much with Farrell and Brennan both having shots go high over the bar. The deadlock was broken on 19 minutes by Denzil Fernandez when he raced through on goal to round Steacy and score, despite the avid protests from the Longford defence and fans.

Dean Byrne could have equalized for the home side just before half time when he shot from distance but McCabe pulled off a great save to deny the number 20.

The second half saw Longford press Shels for an equalizer but it was Ian Morris’ side who got their second of the night through a skillfully worked free kick. The ball was played out to Fernandez who slipped in a cross that sub Greg Moorehouse easily tapped in from close range after just coming on the pitch.

Longford tried but they never truly tested Shelbourne in the second half. The ref nearly lost control of things with some flying challenges going in at the end with both teams picking up a few yellows.

The goals never came for the home side. Conor Kenna went close and Anto Breslin almost scored a beautiful free kick but was denied at the death by McCabe and Shelbourne go home with three massive points in the hunt for the title.

Team Line-Up

Longford Town: Lee Steacy; Anto Breslin, Shane Elworthy, Conor Kenna, Joseph Manley; Aodh Dervin, Dylan Grimes (Jack Doherty ’75), Michael McDonnell; Sean Boyd, Dean Byrne, Sam Verdon (Aaron Dobbs ’64).

Subs not used: Karl Chambers, Adam Evans, Jack Menton, Tristan Noack Hofmann, Dean Zambra.

Booked: Aodh Dervin (’35), Sean Boyd (’85).

Pictures by Tiernan Dolan