Victory sees Shelbourne close in on title

Waterford United 0 Shelbourne 1

Stuart Byrne edged Shelbourne closer to a third title in four seasons as his second-half penalty moved them seven points clear at the top of the table with seven games to go.

Shels had the better of the first half with Sean Dillon rifling a shot off a post from Joseph Ndo’s 34th minute corner the closest to breaking the deadlock in a game that was slow to spring into life.

The Blues’ only chance in the first half arrived two minutes before the break when Paul McCarthy made space to send a 30-yard drive inches over the Shels bar.

The only goal arrived on 63 minutes when Paul McCarthy tripped Ollie Cahill and Stuart Byrne drilled the spot kick straight down the middle for a priceless winner.