2 v 2 
Cobh RamblersDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 July 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Rooney earns Shels draw with Cobh
Dayle Rooney was the star of the show in Shelbourne’s 2-2 draw with Cobh Ramblers in Tolka Park, as the midfielder rattled his way onto the scoresheet on his 100th appearance for The Reds.
With talking points a plenty Michael O’Connor’s screamer in the ninth minute to open the scoring can’t be forgotten, nor can Cobh’s two equalisers via Danny and Nathan O’Connell to obliterate the game open, but it’s the 21-year-old and former St Kevin’s man that was the golden name of the day.
A strike equivalent to that of his notorious namesake Rooney fired the ball into the back of the net on the stroke of halftime to send the home crowd hopping, but due to second half proceedings it wasn’t deemed enough for the three points.
After O’Connor bagged the first goal of the night, Ramblers excessively came into the game and earned their just desserts when they evened up the difference before the half hour mark.
Rooney’s net saw the outfits go into the dressing rooms 2-1 in Shels favour and with momentum in their hands many would have expected the Dublin set up to push on, but O’Connell’s goal for the away team in the 62nd minute teared that rhetoric to shreds.
Balancing those awkward scales between driving forward for a winner and keeping enough men back to avoid getting caught on the counterattack.
The Tolka Park side annexed multiple efforts at goal but failed to convert their attempts and so were left with a bitter taste in their mouths by a side who were seven spots their inferior coming into the fixture.
On the reverse The Rams will have been delirious with their outstanding footballing performance and also a share of the spoils in tandem with the league leaders.
They’ll take that into their clash with a mid-table Athlone Town next week and look to build on their positives, while The Reds go back to the drawing board after dropping points and will hope to make up the difference against UCD AFC next Friday.
Timeline
| 9. Michael O'Connor | 9' | |
| 23' | 9. Killian Cooper | |
| 28' | 11. Danny O'Connell | |
| 8. Dayle Rooney | 46' | |
| 52' | Killian Cooper Darren Murphy | |
| 62' | 18. Nathan O'Connell | |
| 9. Michael O'Connor | 65' | |
| Ryan Brennan Eric Molloy | 68' | |
| George Poynton Brian McManus | 76' | |
| 78' | 16. Darren Murphy | |
| 79' | Cian Murphy Naythan Coleman | |
| 86' | Pierce Phillips Jake Hegarty |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 8)
1 - 2LOI Men's First Division
St. Colman's Park Cobh Ramblers v Shelbourne |
5 - 7eLOI Group D
Online Event Cobh Ramblers v Shelbourne |
Ground
| Tolka Park |
|---|
| Tolka Park (Shelbourne FC), Drumcondra South A ED, Dublin, County Dublin, Leinster, Ireland |
Alanna Cunnane
Alanna is currently pursuing her studies in journalism at Dublin City University and writes regularly for her local media outlets in Sligo.
All over. 2-2 the final score
5 added minutes announced in Tolka Park
Hegarty on for Philips
Cian Murphy off for Coleman
Yellow for Murphy
Poynton off, McManus on
Molloy and En Nayah on for Shels in an effort to change things here for Shels. They replace Brennan and Rooney
Yellow for O'Connor
GOAL! Nathan O'Connell brings the game back to 2-2. What an effort!
Poyton pings the post but no goal for Shels
Change for Cobh. Cooper off, Murphy in
Second half underway!
1 minute added time! ROONEY BAGS A GOAL FOR SHELS ON HIS 100th APPEARENCE. Rattles the back of the net and sees Shels go into the break 2-1 to the good
Rooney takes a crack and there are appeals for handball in the box but to no avail
O'Connor brought down on the edge of the box by Lyons. Interesting position here for Shels just before the break
10 minutes since the goal and it's been a level playing field after that momentum switch in the Dublin ground. Frustration starting to build in both outfits and it seems an ode back to their last meeting which turned into a right battle
O'Connell equalises for Cobh. 1-1 in Tolka with just under half an hour gone
Yellow for Cobh's Cooper. He's booked for a pair of two-footed tackles on John Wilson and Luke Byrne.
Twenty minutes gone and while Shels are on top, Cobh aren't letting them have it easy! Playing the ball to foot instead of lobbing long balls in The Ramblers are playing some good football. Daly and Rooney looking dangerous for The Reds
Wilson into Rooney who heads the ball just a whisker wide
1-0 SHELBOURNE. Michael O'Connor drills the ball into the top corner to take the lead for The Reds in Tolka Park
Rooney plays through his teammate on his 100th appearance and while they test the keeper the ball comes back out. First real chance of the game
Underway in this one as the referee blows his whistle in Dublin!
Fans back in Tolka Park and they are ready to be heard!
Brennan, Michael O’Connor and George Poynton are firing on all cylinders for the 2019 First Division winners, while Killian Cooper, Jake Hegarty and Ciaran Griffin have excelled for the St. Colman’s Park apparatus. It's all to play for in Dublin tonight as we await to see who will come away besotted with their points assortment upon the full-time whistle.
The teams are in! There's a first league start for Nathan O’Connell for Cobh as Cian Murphy & Phillips are in for Devitt and Darren Murphy. In Shelbourne's camp there's a 100th appearance for Dayle Rooney and 50th for Luke Byrne
While FAI cup action saw both outfits caught up recently, First Division outcomes make for an interesting read as the two have enjoyed all three points in recent fixtures. Shelbourne delivered a 3-1 scoreline away to Athlone Town as Shane Farrell sent one home a few feet away from net and Dale Rooney did the double to gut punch the hosts in the 88th minute. Meanwhile Cobh last took on Cabinteely in the domestic contest, securing a late 1-0 sweep at St Colman’s Park.
Reflecting on the pairs’ last outing, it would appear a tough task for both camps is looming as May’s decider was a true battle. The Reds ultimately emerged victorious, but will the same result be seen tonight?
Highflyers Shelbourne will be aspiring to pick up a routine win tonight to profess without doubt their preeminence at the top of the League of Ireland First Division, whereas Cobh manager Darren Murphy on the other hand will have desires to continue his side’s streak of form to collect their second success on the bounce and his first league triumph while in charge of the club.
Thanks for joining me, Alanna Cunnane here on FinalWhistle.ie for Shelbourne versus Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland First Division. Kick-off is in just under an hour (7:45pm) in Tolka Park.