Goal after 16 seconds sets up win for 10-man Shels

Despite being down to 10 men after just 14 minutes following a red card shown to defender Sean Byrne, Shelbourne ran out deserved winners in last night’s tense Premier Division clash at the Belfield Bowl.

The Reds took a sensational lead after just 16 seconds when, straight from the kick-off, winger Paddy Kavanagh crossed from the left for Phillip Gorman to rifle home from close range without a College player barely touching the ball.

More drama was to follow when defender Byrne was sent off by Cork referee Alan Kelly after a needless foul on UCD’s Mark Langtry.

Shelbourne had the ball in the net again on 34 minutes when Gorman shot home from close range. But the goal was disallowed as the ball had previously crossed the byline.

The Reds then went close to stretching their lead just after the interval when a misdirected pass by goalkeeper Mark McGinley was picked up by Gorman but he shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Shelbourne added a second goal on 65 minutes when Paddy Kavanagh cleverly squared the ball for unmarked skipper David Cassidy to sidefoot home.

UCD: McGinley; Douglas (J Kavanagh 45), O’Connor, Leahy, Ledwith, Langtry, Corry, O’Conor, Rusk (Benson 81); Belhout (Morrisson 45), Lyons.

SHELBOURNE: Delany; S Byrne, Boyle, Matthews, Shortall; Cassidy (Dawson 74), Cronin, P Kavanagh, Murphy (Sullivan 67); Hughes (Clancy 16), Gorman.

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).