Lilywhites hold Shels in lacklustre affair

Dundalk, in eighth place, will accept their third goalless draw in six outings against fourth-placed Shelbourne in a game of few thrills and controlled largely by the visitors.

Each side had one clear cut chance to win all three points.

Shels’ chance fell to Conan Byrne in the 62nd minute. He was put clear by Billy Hughes but he pulled his shot wide, with only Peter Cherrie to beat.

Michael Rafter then was put free inside the Shels box on 76 minutes by Paul Walsh but, from straight in front of goal, had his effort blocked by the advancing Paul Skinner.

Left-back Sean Byrne came nearest to breaking the deadlock in the first half with two long-range shots in as many minutes, which brought out the best of Cherrie.

Dundalk’s first shot on target resulted from their best move up to that stage, with Skinner forced into a good save in the 51st minute from the head of Bob McKenna, making his full league debut.

DUNDALK: Cherrie, Mountney, McLaughlin, Burns, Foran, McLaughlin, Waters (Peter Thomas), Shields, McDonnell, Walsh, McKenna (Shanahan 70) Rafter (O’Neill 77).

SHELBOURNE: Skinner . Shorthall, Paisley, Ryan, S. Byrne, Dawson, C. Byrne (Anton Murphy 63), Cassidy, McGill, Kavanagh (Hurley 82) Hughes.