Shelbourne Claim The Title

Last updated : 18 November 2006 By Gerry Ormonde

It was obvious from the start that Bohs were not going to let their northside neighbours take the title without putting up a fight. They refused to let Shelbourne settle on the ball and some tough challenges in midfield saw John Paul Kelly receive a yellow card after only three minutes for over zealous tackling.

Kelly had an industrious start and managed to get two shots in within two minutes, the first going just wide and the second was blocked by the Shelbourne defence.

It was Bohs who took the lead in the game, but as the result of a shocking lack of concentration by the Shelbourne goalkeeper.

Steve Williams seemed to take his eye off the ball as he attempted to deal with a soft header which then hit him on the chest before falling to the ground. He could only look on in horror as the incoming Barry Ferguson poked out a foot and put the ball into the net.

Instead of taking the wind out of Shelbourne's sails, the setback seemed to galvanise them and on 23 minutes the sides were level.

JP Kelly blocked a shot with both hands in the penalty area and can probably count himself lucky to have stayed on the pitch having already been booked. Stephen Byrne planted a firmly struck penalty beyond the reach of goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien.

Then, on 28 minutes, Jason Byrne won a ball out by the right touchline and swept an early cross into the Bohs box. Glen Crowe timed his run perfectly between two defenders and placed a sweet left foot volley past O'Brien.

Shelbourne finished the half the strongly and began the second in the same fashion by piling pressure on the Bohs defence. Three minutes in, Glen Crowe missed a simple chance from 10 yards and was probably relieved when the referee blew for offside.

It was to prove the highpoint of a disappointing second half as Shelbourne seemed happy enough to battle it out in midfield without committing too many players forward, and while Bohemians fought gamely they couldn't make any headway in a crowded midfield.

In fact the last act of any note came with two minutes to go as Shelbourne's Richie Baker received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Conor Powell.

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