Details

Date Time League Season
25 June 2021 7:45 pm LOI Men's First Division 2021

Match Report

Shels earn home win over Cork

Strikes from Michael O’Connor and Ryan Brennan prove to be the difference in a hard fought 2-1 win for Shelbourne over Cork City at Tolka Park in the League Of Ireland First Division tonight.

In a feisty affair, Michael O’Connor’s first half strike was cancelled out by Cian Murphy early on in the second period before a Ryan Brennan strike secured all three points for Ian Morris’ men. Shelbourne now sit 11 points clear at the top of the second flight.

Both sides started the game off well, with the great atmosphere clearly helping Shels out from the start. The two teams had chances throughout the first half but struggled to find that killer pass in the final third. George Poynton whipped an excellent ball into the Cork City box which found the on rushing Michael O’Connor who headed home from close range to put Shels’ in front with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.  The goal lifted both the hosts players and fans and the Reds nearly went further ahead on the stroke of half time but McNulty made a fantastic stop to deny Ryan Brennan. Shels led 1-0 going into the break.

Shelbourne started the better of the two sides after the interval with Luke Byrne hitting the post and the crossbar denying Ally Gilchrist from close range to save Cork City. The Rebel Army then broke on the counter attack and Cian Murphy fired home into the bottom corner to equalize for Cork against the run of play.

This goal silenced Shels’ fans around Tolka Park. That was until Cork City captain Gearóid Morrissey was dispossessed inside his own half by Mikey O’Connor who sent Ryan Brennan through on goal. Brennan made no mistake and bagged his 10th of the season to give Shels the lead once again.

Shelbourne sat back and invited pressure after the goal giving City the majority of possession for the final half hour. As full time approached, Colin Healy’s men kept the intensity high and in stoppage time Cian Coleman hit a rocket towards the Shels’ goal only to be denied by a brilliant stop from goalkeeper Brendan Clarke.

This was as close as it came for The Rebel Army as Shelbourne increased their lead at the top of the League Of Ireland First Division.

Shelbourne

1Brendan Clarke Goalkeeper
3Kevin O’Connor Defender
4Ally Gilchrist Defender
6JJ Lunney Midfielder
9Michael O’Connor Forward 36'
10Ryan Brennan Midfielder 56'
16John Ross Wilson Defender
17Shane Farrell Forward
18Dayle Rooney Midfielder
23Luke Byrne Defender
26George Poynton Midfielder
Stephen Negru Defender
Mark Nolan Midfielder
2Michael Barker Defender
7Glen McAuley Forward
14Brian McManus Midfielder
15Maxim Kouogan Defender
20Kyle O’Connor Forward
21Alex Cetiner Forward
25Jack Brady Goalkeeper

Cork City

1Mark McNulty Goalkeeper
6Gearoid Morrissey Midfielder
8Cian Coleman Midfielder 63'
9Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh 7 Forward
10Steven Beattie Forward 10'
15Dale Holland 27 Midfielder
17Darragh Crowley Forward
24Cian Murphy Forward 48'
25Gordon Walker Defender
28Jonas Hakkinen Defender
30Jack Baxter Midfielder
2Uniss Kargbo Defender
7Dylan McGlade 9 Midfielder 81'
13David Harrington Goalkeeper
20Paul Hunt Goalkeeper
21Oran Crowe Midfielder
25Jamie Wynne Forward
27Jack Walsh 15 Forward
32Luke Desmond Midfielder
  • 90'

    And it's all over . Shels win 2-1 in a great contest.

  • 90'

    Clarke with a great save to deny Coleman, Corner for Cork into the last minute.

  • 90'

    Three additional minutes to be played at Tolka Park.

  • 87'

    Shelbourne hanging on here with just under three minutes of normal time remaining. Cork City still pushing for an equalizer.

  • 81'

    McGlade booked for a late challenge.

  • 77'

    Cork City dominating possession at the moment but struggling to find that final killer pass. Still 2-1 to Shels.

  • 71'

    Holland off.

  • 71'

    Walsh replaces Holland for Cork City.

  • 68'

    O'Brien Whitmarsh off for McGlade.

  • 68'

    McGlade on to face his former side, just over 20 minutes left here at Tolka Park.

  • 67'

    O'Connor is played through by Rooney but denied by a great tackle from Cork CIty captain Morrissey.

  • 63'

    Coleman picks up a yellow for dragging down Poynton on the counter attack

  • 62'

    Luke Byrne with an excellent block to deny Morrissey inside the Shels box.

  • 56'

    Goal, Ryan Brennan makes in 2-1 to Shelbourne. O'Connor dispossed Morrissey inside his half before sending Brennan through to bag his 10th of the season.

  • 54'

    Murphy's strike for Cork City has really silenced Shels' fans . Cork really growing into the game here.

  • 48'

    Goal for Cork City. Murphy scores out of nowhere for the Rebel Army.

  • 47'

    Gilchrist hits the bar from the corner. Post and crossbar denying Shelbourne in the first two minutes of the 2nd half.

  • 46'

    Byrne hits the post.Out for a Shels corner.

  • 46'

    Back underway at Tolka Park.Cork City fans will be hoping for a better performance in the 2nd half.

  • 45'

    Brennan stopped by McNulty who makes an excellent save to deny the midfielder. Referee blows for half time.

  • 42'

    It's all Shelbourne now with Ian Morris' men looking for a second goal here before half time.

  • 36'

    Goal for Mikey O'Connor who heads home after a brilliant delivery by Georgie Poynton.

  • 30'

    Wilson with a rocket from just outside the area which flashest just wide of the Cork goal.

  • 29'

    Highly competitive game here at Tolka Park with both sides up for it. Almost at the half hour mark with the scores still level.

  • 20'

    Walker comes close for The Rebel Army but fires over from close range. Still level.

  • 15'

    Wilson cuts in from the right and fires a shot off his left foot but it was a comfartable save for McNulty in the Cork net.

  • 11'

    McNulty punches clear, corner to Shels.

  • 10'

    Beattie booked for a poor challenge. Free kick in a dangerous area.

  • 9'

    Good save from Clarke to deny Holland from inside the area. Cork City looking dangerous on the counter attack

  • 3'

    Great clearance from Beattie to deny Gilchrist at the back post.

  • 1'

    And we're off!! Shels playing from left to right.

  • Mild and overcast evening here at Tolka Park as Shelbourne welcome fans back for the first time.Great atmosphere ahead of kick off.

  • Both sides heading into the changing rooms following their warm ups. Ten minutes until kick off.

  • Shelbourne Team: Clarke (GK), Wilson, Gilchrist, Byrne, Kev O'Connor, Rooney, Poynton, Farrell, Lunney, Brennan, M O'Connor.

  • Cork City Team: McNulty (GK), Morrissey(C), Coleman, Beineon, Beattie, Holland, Crowley, Murphy, Walker, Hakkinen, Baxter

  • Just under an hour until kick off here at Tolka Park. Team news to follow shortly.

Past Meetings

(Series 4)
1 - 3
LOI Men's First Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Series 2)
0 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Series 3 - Group 1)
4 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Series 10)
1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Series 1)
3 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Series 1)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Round 17)
0 - 4
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Round 12)
5 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Round 7)
2 - 7
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Round 19)
2 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Round 11)
1 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Round 4)
4 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

2 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

2 - 4
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

1 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

4 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

0 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

5 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

1 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

Ground

Tolka Park
Tolka Park (Shelbourne FC), Drumcondra South A ED, Dublin, County Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

Luke Delaney is a Final Year Journalism Student in DCU. Sports Reporter for Wicklow People and Finalwhistle.ie.