0 v 0 
DundalkVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 June 2022 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
Honours even in Tolka
Despite both teams having chances to win the three points at Tolka Park, Shelbourne and Dundalk played out a scoreless draw.
While Shels had a big chance with just ten minutes remaining as Aodh Dervin nearly gave the home team the three points, Nathan Sheppard made a last-second save. The Lilywhites will regret the squandered opportunities, particularly from Robbie Benson and John Martin on either side of the half.
Shelbourne were the aggressors in the opening phases of the game, making the most of Tolka Park's width. Despite the early pressure, Shelbourne was unable to seriously test Nathan Sheppard in the goal. Dundalk then had an early chance with Stephen Bradley's low shot deflected for a corner as he got in behind the Shelbourne defence to give the visitors their first shot at goal.
The Lilywhites kept asking questions, and it appeared as though they would take the lead when Robbie Benson got through the offside trap and found himself one on one with Brendan Clarke. His well-hit effort appeared to curl past Clarke, but it ended up on the wrong side of the Shels side netting.
In the opening exchanges of the second half, Sean Boyd received the ball and broke down the left as Shelbourne attempted to put additional pressure on the Lilywhite defence. At one point, it appeared as though Boyd would have a chance on goal, but Paul Doyle made a crucial challenge to clear the danger.
Just outside the Dundalk area, Brian McManus also made a good effort, but Sheppard did well to dive down and make the save. David McMillan and John Martin both found themselves at the back post meeting the deep swinging cross, but they were unable to convert the golden opportunities for Dundalk.
When Aodh Dervin, a second-half substitution, got a good touch on the ball after Sean Boyd's great knockdown, the Reds almost had an opportunity to win the three points, but Sheppard did a fantastic job of blocking the attempt.
Shelbourne did well to withstand late Dundalk pressure, but Bradley and Ryan O'Kanes' final shots on goal were unsuccessful for Stephen O'Donnell's team.
Timeline
Past Meetings
|
(Round 12)
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park Dundalk v Shelbourne |
|
(Round 5)
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Tolka Park Shelbourne v Dundalk |
|
(Series 11)
3 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park Dundalk v Shelbourne |
|
(Series 2)
1 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Tolka Park Shelbourne v Dundalk |
Officials
| Referee | Assistants |
|---|---|
| Rob Hennessy | Rob Clarke Wayne McDonnell |
Ground
| Tolka Park |
|---|
| Tolka Park (Shelbourne FC), Drumcondra South A ED, Dublin, County Dublin, Leinster, Ireland |
Ciaran Callan
Ciaran Callan is a part-time sports journalist based in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He has more than 10 year’s experience working with media companies including both extensive radio broadcasting experience along with print and digital media reporting for the SSE Airtricity League as well digital media work with the national sports company eirSport. He joined FinalWhistle in February 2021 as is their main correspondent for Dundalk Football Club.
FULL TIME: Despite both teams having chances to win the three points at Tolka Park, Shelbourne and Dundalk played out a scoreless draw. While Shels had a big chance with just ten minutes remaining as Aodh Dervin nearly gave the home team the three points, Nathan Sheppard made a last-second save. The Lilywhites will regret the squandered opportunities, particularly from Robbie Benson and John Martin on either side of the half.
Dundalk throws the kitchen sick at Shelbourne but Bradley's final product goes wide.
As the man comes into its final minutes it will be interesting to see if there is any late drama - can Dundalk or Shels nick the three points.
Double change: Ryan O'Kane for Dundalk comes on for Daniel Kelly Kameron Ledwidge comes on for McManus for Shelbourne
What a ball sent into the area by Ward and John Martin taps it over from six yards!
WHAT A SAVE! Sean Boyd with the clever knockdown and Aodh Dervin gets a smart touch on it but Sheppard does excellent to block the effort.
A second change for Shelbourne as Jack Moylan is coming off for Aodh Dervin.
Shane Farrell struck a well-placed shot which is saved well by Shepperd.
Aaron O’Driscoll is booked for a foul on Benson
JR Wilson comes on for Jad Hakiki as Shels makes their first change of the evening.
Darragh Leahy's inch-perfect cross finds Robbie Benson at the back post but he can't keep his header down
Sean Boyd with an excellent looping header that Sheppard does very well to get to and clear the danger.
Keith Ward is being introduced for Paul Doyle.
Jack Moylan with an excellent cross into the area but it looks over his teammates
Dundalk's first change sees John Martin replace David McMillan
McManus with a well taken low strike just outside the Dundalk area but Sheppard does well to get down to save.
What a chance! Lewis Macari with a carbon copy cross and this time it was McMillan meeting it at the back post but the Dundalk striker lost his footing at the last second.
Sean Boyd disposed the ball and broke down the left and it looked as if he was going to have a shot on target but Paul Doyle makes a vital tackle.
We are back on here at Tolka, no changes on either side
HALF TIME: A good first half as both sides would think they should be ahead, Dundalk's Robbie Benson had the best chance of the half.
Bradley just bobbing and weaving inside of the Shelbourne area but he could get the vital pass to one of his teammates.
A bit tame since that chance for Benson as both sides look to try and test the respective keepers.
HOW DID HE MISS THAT! Robbie Benson broke free of the offside trap and he was one on one with the keeper, it looked as if it was going to curl past Clarke but it has hit the side netting!
An excellent ball from Moylan sent into the area sees Boyd attack it but the referee blows up for a foul, Boyd however looks very dangerous and Moylan has looked very dangerous in that attack.
A free-kick sent into the Shelbourne area evades every attacking Dundalk player and the home side defence clear the lines.
Paul Doyle has been excellent in the build-up here but the final chance to Stephen Bradley sees him going onto his favoured left foot but it blazes over the bar.
Dundalk had a good spell of attacking pressure with Sloggett, McMillan and Macari all having sights on goal but the final effort went over the bar.
CHANCE: Stephen Bradley gets in behind the Shelbourne defence and hits a low shot that takes a deflection for a corner, the first real sight on goal for the away side as Dundalk have been quiet so far.
Ten minutes in and it's Shelbourne that is doing a lot of the attacking play, Dundalk did concede two free-kicks in a dangerous area but the home side could not punish the Lilywhites.
Robbie Benson gets a yellow card for the foul.
Robbie Benson commits a foul inside his own half and the referee blows for a free, the freekick is in a good position but it is not capitalised on.
Shane Farrell sends an excellent ball into the area that is well read by Nathan Sheppard but it looks as if the Shelbourne winger may cause Darragh Leahy some issues tonight.
We are underway! Robbie Benson kicks off for Dundalk and the game begins in Tolka Park.
The teams are out on the pitch, seems to be perfect conditions for tonights match.
TEAM NEWS: Dundalk has made one change to the side that beat Shamrock Rovers last weekend with David McMillan coming in for the injured Patrick Hoban. Changes to the bench with John Mountney and Keith Ward being named among the substitutes.
Good Evening from FinalWhistle HQ - Ciaran Callan here reporting on a match that many will keep a close eye on tonight as second-placed Dundalk take on Shelbourne.