Report: Dundalk FC 2-3 Shelbourne

Dundalk FC suffered late heartbreak at Oriel Park as a 90th-minute Sean Boyd goal handed Shelbourne a dramatic 3-2 victory in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

Despite twice taking the lead, Ciarán Kilduff's side were denied what would have been a valuable three points as the visitors staged a late comeback. Ronan Teahan and Declan McDaid were on target for the Lilywhites, but Shelbourne replied through Sean Moore, Jack Henry-Francis and Boyd to leave Dundalk empty-handed.

The hosts made the perfect start after 12 minutes when Trevor Clarke delivered an excellent cross for Teahan, who guided a superb header into the bottom corner. Dundalk continued to threaten and almost doubled their advantage, only for Shelbourne substitute goalkeeper Conor Walsh to keep out Clarke's effort.

Shelbourne gradually settled and found an equaliser six minutes before the break. James Norris broke clear down the left and, after Enda Minogue parried his dangerous delivery, Moore was first to react and converted from close range to make it 1-1.

The second half was a more cautious affair before Dundalk restored their advantage midway through the period. Daryl Horgan's free-kick caused uncertainty in the Shelbourne defence and Harvey Warren's inviting cross was headed home by McDaid to put the Lilywhites back in front.

However, the visitors responded once again. With 10 minutes remaining, Henry-Francis' strike took a significant deflection and looped beyond the helpless Minogue to level matters for a second time.

Dundalk's task became even more difficult shortly afterwards when substitute Shane Tracey received a straight red card, reducing the hosts to ten men for the closing stages.

Shelbourne capitalised on their numerical advantage in the final minute of normal time. Odhran Casey's long delivery into the area caused confusion in the Dundalk defence and Boyd bundled the ball home to complete a dramatic turnaround and secure all three points for the Dublin side.

The result was a cruel blow for Kilduff's men, who had looked on course for victory for long periods but were ultimately punished by Shelbourne's late surge.

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; JR Wilson (Harvey Warren 37), Mayowa Animasahun, Tom Grivosti, Bobby Burns; Aodh Dervin, Keith Buckley (Shane Tracey 70); Trevor Clarke (Declan McDaid 27), Ronan Teahan, Daryl Horgan; Cian Dillon (Leo Gaxha 70).

Shelbourne: Eddie Beach (Conor Walsh 16); Milan Mbeng, Odhran Casey, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris; Jack Henry-Francis, Kerr McInroy (Ali Coote 78); Daniel Kelly (Sean Boyd 78), Sean Moore, Evan Caffrey; Mipo Odubeko (Dan Ring 78).

Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan (Cork) Attendance: 2,641.