Dundalk fell to their first defeat of the 2008 league season to Shelbourne at Oriel Park on Thursday night. It was ex-Dundalk striker Anto Flood that proved to be the difference between the two sides with a two goal salvo in the second half. Dundalk are left to rue a missed opportunity having played against ten men for much of the game after the dismissal of James Keddy. Dundalk's disappointment was extended with two red cards of our own with David Cassidy and Paul Shiels both receiving their marching orders.

Dundalk got off to a dream start. Barely twenty seconds were on the clock when Tiarnan Mulvenna latched onto John Flanagan's pass to shoot superbly home past Dean Delaney. Despite the poor result the performance of Mulvenna was the positive factor of the night. A constant source of danger and enterprise, Mulvenna also showed that despite his small stature he has a heart for battle. On several occasions he made light work of the height advantage enjoyed by the Shels defenders.

Dundalk could have been 2-0 after 13 minutes when Delaney superbly saved Robbie Farrell's effort. Then fortune started to turn in Shels favour. John Flanagan won a clean tackle on the edge of the box only Mr Hancock to award a free-kick. David Freeman took advantage of a poor wall to shoot past Chris Bennion.

The largest crowd of the season at Oriel Park so far, bolstered by a fine turnout by a vocal and colourful Shelbourne presence, were enjoying a fine top of the table contest. The match as a spectacle was badly affected by the red card show to James Keddy for two bookable offences after 24 minutes. Keddy, Dundalk player of the Year back in 2001-02, almost got a way with it as it appeared that it was only a friendly reminder from the Oriel faithful reminded Mr Hancock that it was his second booking.

Dundalk stepped up to the task of taking advantage of their numerical advantage and were clearly on top for the rest of the 1st half. Farrell again went close while Flanagan rose high to send a powerful header goalward only for Delaney to save well.

While Dundalk were in control of the match, Shelbourne did look dangerous on the break with Anto Flood in excellent form leading the line in attack. It was from a defensive lapse that Flood put Shelbourne into the lead. Aidan Lynch attempted to allow the ball to go out of play but misjudged the pace of the ball. Flood was in like a shot to shoot past Bennion at his near post despite Ian Ryan's best efforts on the line to clear.

Soon after came another controversial episode. David Crawley sent in a curling free-kick that Flanagan superbly headed home with a looping header over Delaney. The joy was shortlived as the linesman indicated off-side although it was afterwards reported to be for a pushing offence. Either explanation was unsatisfactory and Dundalk can feel justifiably unhappy at being deprived a fair and deserved equaliser.

Dundalk left themselves vulnerable to the Shels counter-attacks as they pushed forward for an equaliser without ever finding the right pace or rhythm to their game. After yet another debatable offside decision David Cassidy received a second yellow card for aggressive behaviour towards the assistant referee. Soon after Anto Flood killed off Dundalk's hopes of a comeback when he had the time to pick his spot after sprinting clear of the Dundalk defence. Flood almost scored a sensational third goal with a chip from 35 yards that Bennion did well to tip over the bar.

Mulvenna tested Delaney with a shot from the edge of the box while Jamie Duffy found himself in a good position twice late on but failed to apply the finish. Disappointingly, Paul Shiels also received his marching orders for dissent in the closing stages.

Dundalk's lead could have been eight points but instead is two. No better place to get back on track than Gortakeegan next Friday!