Report: Dundalk FC 1-2 Shelbourne FC

Dundalk FC suffered their first home league defeat since 2024 on Friday night as Shelbourne left Oriel Park with a 2-0 win.

Shelbourne took the lead from a set-piece routine in the 11th minute. Harry Wood’s short corner was played into Kerr McInroy, whose shot goalwards was flicked to the net by Daniel Kelly from inside the six-yard box.

Dundalk looked for a response, and JR Wilson and Gbemi Arubi combined to give Ronan Teahan an opportunity, but the ball was cleared just as Teahan was lining up his shot. Eoin Kenny then flashed a powerful effort from 20 yards wide.

Against the run of play, Shelbourne had a huge opportunity to extend their lead in the 35th minute when McInroy’s hopeful ball over the top was latched on to by Sean Boyd, but Enda Minogue advanced from his goal and made a vital save.

Three minutes before the break, it was Wessel Speel’s turn to be called into action when he turned away Daryl Horgan’s 25-yard shot at the expense of a corner.

Ciaran Kilduff rang the changes at half-time, with Rob Cornwall, Bobby Burns and Declan McDaid introduced for Harvey Warren, Keith Buckley and Kenny.

Arubi and McInroy both had early second-half chances before Shels extended their lead in the 52nd minute. Sam Bone headed Paddy Barrett’s deep free-kick into McInroy’s path, and he lofted the ball over Minogue to make it 2-0.

Arubi headed over the bar on the hour mark as Dundalk pressed for a route back into the game. With ten minutes remaining, Arubi again went close, but his header was saved under the crossbar by Speel. Dundalk were thrown a lifeline when they awarded a penalty for a handball in the 88th minute. Daryl Horgan stepped up to drill his penalty low past Speel. With seven minutes of injury time played, Dundalk laid siege to the Shelbourne goal but were unable to secure the breakthrough.

Dundalk: Enda Minogue, JR Wilson, Tyreke Wilson, Mayowa Animasahun, Harvey Warren, Aodh Dervin, Keith Buckley, Ronan Teahan, Gbemi Arubi, Daryl Horgan, Eoin Kenny.

Subs: Declan McDaid, Rob Cornwall and Bobby Burns for Kenny, Warren and Buckley (HT); Harry Groome for Teahan (72).

Shelbourne: Wessel Speel, Sean Gannon, Kerr McInroy, Kameron Ledwidge, Paddy Barrett, Sam Bone, JJ Lunney, Daniel Kelly, Jack Henry-Francis, Sean Boyd, Harry Wood.

Subs: Ali Coote for Wood (69); Evan Caffrey for Henry-Francis, Rodrigo Freitas for Boyd.

Referee: Paul Norton.

Attendance: 3,149.