Report: Shelbourne 2-1 Dundalk FC

Despite long periods of control, Dundalk came away empty handed from Tolka Park after Shelbourne came from behind to win 2-1.

Ciarán Kilduff's side made the ideal start, JR Wilson heading home from Daryl Horgan's free-kick delivery after just four minutes. It was a lead Dundalk should have doubled inside the opening quarter of an hour. Horgan curled narrowly wide after combining well with Gbemi Arubi, while at the other end Rodrigo Freitas spurned a clear sight of goal when played through by Daniel Kelly.

For long spells thereafter Dundalk were the more threatening side. Ronan Teahan twice went close, first seeing a header saved by Wessel Speel and then dragging a chance wide, while Arubi also tested the Shelbourne goalkeeper with a flicked effort. The visitors would come to rue those missed opportunities.

Two lapses either side of the half-hour mark undid their good work. A long ball from Milan Mbeng broke kindly to Kelly, who levelled from close range against his former club on 39 minutes. Two minutes later Dundalk were behind, caught out by a cross-field ball that picked out Freitas, who squared for Harry Wood to finish from close range.

Dundalk continued to push after the break. Cornwall spurned a good headed chance from eight yards, while Arubi went closest late on, curling an effort just wide in stoppage time as Shelbourne held on for a first win in three attempts.

Dundalk will feel there was enough in their overall performance to have taken something from the trip to Tolka Park. Attention now turns to next weekend's visit of Drogheda United to Oriel Park.

Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Odhran Casey (Kameron Ledwidge 61), Paddy Barrett, James Norris; Milan Mbeng (Sean Gannon 72), Evan Caffrey, Jack Henry-Francis (Sam Bone 82), Daniel Kelly; Harry Wood, Ali Coote (Sean Moore 72); Rodrigo Freitas (Will Jarvis 82).

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; JR Wilson, Rob Cornwall, Bobby Burns, Tyreke Wilson (Mayowa Animasahun 64) (Harry Groome 74); Aodh Dervin, Keith Buckley (Shane Tracey 74); Declan McDaid (Trevor Clarke 64), Ronan Teahan, Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi.

Referee: Aaron O'Dowd.