Dundalk FC :: Match Reports

Shelbourne 0-0 Dundalk FC // 07 March 2008 // Tolka Park

Dundalk came away with a precious point from Tolka Park on Friday night as they claimed a scoreless draw with Shelbourne, despite finishing the game with nine men. A poor refereeing performance threatened to sour and shape Dundalk’s season, however, the Lilywhites overcame all obstacles to hold out for a point in a game which they came agonisingly close to snatching.
Following the decision to dismiss goalkeeper Chris Bennion before the break, Dundalk dug deep and pulled together to produce a magnificent display. After surviving Shels’ only real chance of the game as ex-Lilywhite Anto Flood headed off the bar just shy of the hour-mark, Dundalk went within inches of netting a late winner. Firstly, Ian Ryan’s thunderous effort was somehow saved by Dean Delaney, before Robbie Martin almost broke the crossbar with a thumping header from the resulting corner. Despite going so close, however, Dundalk will be content with a point. Gill’s team-sheet was the main talking point before the game, and it was one which threw up a couple of

surprises when announced. Biggest was the exclusion of centre-half Ian Ryan, who took his place on the bench as Aidan Lynch and Ben Whelehan lined-up in defence. Midfielder Paul Marney also had to sit with the substitutes after Paul Shiels was chosen ahead of the Londoner, however, the pair both entered at half-time and staked their claims for a place with eye-catching performances. Elsewhere, there was little change, with John Flanagan returning to the side having sat out the narrow loss in Derry the previous week. Striker Robbie Martin also retook his place in the starting XI.

Following a bright start, Dundalk drifted out of the game early on, with Shels holding plenty of possession and attacking at every opportunity. No surprise then that it was the hosts who created the opening chances, as Robbie Hedderman went close with a header from a James Chambers free-kick, before the youngster’s cross from the opposite side forced Flanagan to put the ball behind from inside his own six-yard area. On 25 minutes, Flood went close with a long-range free-kick which forced Bennion to tip over, before captain Damien Brennan headed inches off target.

Dundalk’s only effort on goal came ten minutes before the break as Lynch ventured forward and whizzed a shot wide of the ‘keeper’s right-hand post from 25-yards, before the game turned in an instant on 38 minutes. A through ball set Flood away, however, Bennion rushed outside his area and appeared to win the ball cleanly. Doyle had other ideas and made the decision to brandish a straight red-card for ‘a violent lunge’.

A serious blow to Dundalk, however, Shanahan entered and the visitors hung on until half-time. At the interval, Gill was forced to withdraw Flanagan (calf) and introduce Ryan, while he also replaced winger Jamie Duffy with Paul Marney, as David Cassidy was pushed out to the right flank. And, it was a change which almost worked wonders, as Dundalk came close to making the breakthrough on 51 minutes. Cassidy broke free down the right and cut inside, before crossing for Martin. Ready to head home, the ball was taken off the striker’s head before coming to O’Connor. After his initial effort was blocked, the winger went again and forced Delaney to push the ball out.

Dundalk went close again minutes later as a David Crawley free was met by Whelehan, whose effort was tipped over by Delaney. Following those let-offs, Shels went within inches of taking the lead themselves, as Alan Murphy’s cross from the right was met by the head of Flood. However, after beating the ‘keeper, the 23-year-old forward saw his effort hit the top of the crossbar. That was to prove Shels’ last opening of the game, and they were almost made to pay for their failure to take advantage of the extra man as Dundalk twice went close inside sixty seconds late in the game.
On 83 minutes, Ryan caught a volley on the meat from the edge of the area, however, destined for the top corner, Delaney pulled off a wonderful save to divert the ball behind for a corner. From the resulting Crawley set-piece, Dundalk again went agonisingly close, as Martin rose highest at the front post to power a header off the bar as Shels somehow escaped. Moments later, despite lying on the ground clearly in pain, Whelehan was ignored by the referee as Shels played on, and continued to play on even after the ball had gone out of play. Eventually, Doyle held up play to allow attention to Whelehan, who was forced to retire from the match, leaving Dundalk to finish with nine men.
Despite the scare of a late disallowed Philly Hughes goal for a clear offside, however, Dundalk comfortably held out for a point, as they set out on the road to glory with a very valuable point.

Man of the Match: David Cassidy (Dundalk)…Following on from the form he showed in pre-season, Cassidy was again Dundalk’s star performer and easily earned the ‘Man of the Match’ accolade ahead of a commanding performance from captain Aidan Lynch. Cassidy was, yet again, simply superb. Not shy about mixing it, the 22-year-old covered every blade of grass at least twice during the ninety minutes, as he battled for everything in every department of the pitch. Impressive in both defence and attack, Cassidy filled both the central midfield (first-half) and right-wing (second-half) roles brilliantly. Covered an amazing amount of ground throughout the game, and his fitness will be absolutely vital to a promotion push. The key player in Dundalk earning a draw - flawless performance.