Dundalk edge five-goal thriller to pile more home misery on Shelbourne

WINNER: Zeno Ibsen Rossi of Shelbourne reacts after scoring an own goal. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

Shelbourne 2 Dundalk 3

Shelbourne's search for their first home win of the season continues as they fell to defeat in a five-goal thriller which saw Dundalk win at Tolka Park for the first time since 2020.

Gbemi Arubi and Bobby Burns had the visitors in front before a second half Reds resurgence led by Zeno Ibsen Rossi and John Martin levelled proceedings.

But with four minutes of normal time remaining Eoin Kenny’s cross was bundled into his own net by the aforementioned Rossi.

Ciaran Kilduff’s side have looked good upon their return to this level and they had the carrot of knowing they would leapfrog the hosts in the league with a win.

The Lilywhites responded immediately with Bobby Burns unleashing a thunderous 25-yard strike to sting Speel’s hands.

The visitors were well and truly looking to spoil the party of the reopening of Drumcondra Stand, which was last used back in 2019 in a game against Limerick that saw Kilduff come on as a late substitute for Shelbourne.

And with 11-minutes on the clock, it was another former Red Arubi, that reacted sharply to nod home from close range following a cleverly worked corner routine.

Just over 10-minutes later Burns was at it again and, having given the Reds prior warning, the Northern Irishman stepped on from midfield and smashed home an unstoppable left footed strike to double his side’s lead.

Following a frustrating, and disappointing half, Shels boss Joey O’Brien called on his reinforcements, making a triple substitution at the break with the changes impacting proceedings straight away.

Momentum was building and minutes later the right side duo of Wood and Gannon combined to create a wonderfully finished volley by Rossi to half the deficit.

Arubi then spurned a gilt edged chance to restore the two-goal lead when he took advantage of Jack Henry-Francis’ poor control to race clear on goal before dragging his shot wide.

And the Town were made to pay moments later when Daniel Kelly raced clear on the break and squared beautifully to ex-Dundalk man Martin to make it all square.

Looking like there was only one winner, huge credit goes to the visitors who dug deep and grabbed a late winner when Eoin Kenny’s cross from the left came off the helpless Rossi and into his own goal.

Shelbourne: W Speel; S Bone (J Norris 46), Z Ibsen Rossi, K Ledwidge; E Caffrey (S Gannon 46), J Henry-Francis, K McInroy, M Lundgren (W Jarvis, 46), D Kelly (R Freitas, 72); H Wood, J Martin (S Boyd 83).

Dundalk: E Minogue; JR Wilson, C O’Keefe, M Animasahun, T Wilson: D McDaid (E Kenny 65), K Buckley, B Burns (H Warren 87), H Groome (S Tracey 79), D Horgan; G Arubi.

Referee: Lucas Keating.