Odubeko fires Shels to derby win over Shamrock Rovers
Mipo Odubeko scored a 65th minute winner for Shelbourne against Shamrock Rovers. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Shelbourne earned just their second home win of the season with victory over Shamrock Rovers. In a thrilling Ringsend Derby, Evan Caffrey nodded his side in front against the run of play in the first half before Adam Brennan levelled just after the break, with Mipo Odubeko proving the match winner shortly after the concession.
After a two-week wait, the league was back with a box-office battle at Tolka Park and two of the league's heavyweights did not disappoint.
With memories of the titanic 2-2 tussle fresh in the memory from their last meeting at Tolka, in which the home side squandered a two-goal lead, Shels looked to take the game to the champions from the off and forced a great chance within the first minute.
Sam Bone found himself unmarked on the penalty spot but couldn't find the power or direction to trouble Ed McGinty.
The hosts, with the baffling record of worst home form and at the same time best points per game on the road, desperately looked to add to their sole home win and started with intent.
The visitors dominated possession from then on but with little in the way of a goal threat, seeming almost too comfortable at times. And with just over a half hour played, it was epitomised by Graham Burke giving the ball away sloppily to Harry Wood.
The Shels talisman launched a blistering counter attack that included some delightful one touch passing, ending with the Englishman himself picking out Evan Caffrey with a perfectly weighted first time cross onto the head of his midfield partner, who guided his header into the bottom corner.
The celebrations were almost cut short but the visitors spurned a glorious chance to level. Having temporarily switched wings with Adam Brennan, Jake Mulraney whipped in a dangerous cross from the left that Speel opted to try to punch.
The Shels stopper failed to get a proper connection on his attempted clearance, resulting in the ball falling to the feet of the Irish International, Brennan, who scuffed the ball over on his weaker left foot with the goal at his mercy.
The Hoops came flying out of the traps after half-time with a noticeable urgency in the speed of their play and took just 10 minutes to find the equaliser.
With Milan Mbeng down following a clash on the right wing, referee Rob Harvey waved play on as Rovers made them pay when Enda Stevens found Mulraney in the area. The former St. Patrick’s Athletic man cushioned the ball down for Brennan who made amends for his earlier miss, this time on his favoured right foot, smashing an unstoppable volley home to level.
Searching for their first home win over Rovers since 2024, the home side showed great character to get back in front just three minutes later when Mipo latched onto a long through ball. The Shels front man faced up Lee Grace before shifting the ball on his left and unleashing a powerful low drive that beat McGinty at the near post, who seemed to think the shot was going across goal.
It was back to the wall for the remainder as Stephen Bradley unloaded his bench that included both Micahel Noonan and John McGovern enter the fray.
Despite a well saved free kick and a couple of half chances, the home side held on to breathe life back into the title race yet again.
Speel: Mbeng (Gannon, 71’), Bone, Barrett, Ledwidge; Kelly (Norris, 82’) , Caffrey (Coote, 71’), Lunny, Chapman (Jarvis, 62’), Wood; Odubeko (Freitas, 82’)
McGinty: Sobowale, Grace, Stevens (Malley, 90+2’); Brennan, Watts (Noonan, 74’), Healy, Byrne, Mulraney (Grant, 74’); Burke (Razi, 84’), Greene (McGovern, 74’)
Referee: Rob Harvey
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