IT WAS A game consisting of a chaotic energy befitting of Dundalk’s last few months but last year’s champions gave new boss Fillipo Giovagnoli a winning start — and probably heart palpitations — following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Shelbourne at Oriel Park.
Two stunning goals — the first by Michael Duffy, the second by Greg Sloggett — on either side of a Brian Gartland header steered the hosts to all three points despite their relinquishing a 2-0 lead to strikes by Dan Byrne and their former player Georgie Poynton.
Sloggett’s powerful, long-range effort on the hour mark secured Dundalk’s first league victories in five attempts.
59: GOAL!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 11, 2020
DUNDALK 3-2 Shelbourne.
What a strike from Greg Sloggett 👏👏👏@DundalkFC lead again at Oriel Park. #LOI pic.twitter.com/6VW8vidNL7
The Lilywhites dominated the opening 90 seconds which almost provided an opener for Chris Shields who fired over from the edge of the area, but it took only a few seconds more before they broke the deadlock.
Michael Duffy collected the ball on the left flank before making a trademark cut infield and letting rip from all of 30 yards, his shot whistling past Shels ‘keeper Colin McCabe into the far corner.
04: GOAL!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 11, 2020
Dundalk 1-0 Shelbourne.
What a strike from Michael Duffy. Simply brilliant 👏👏👏
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #LOI pic.twitter.com/MZJNTyB4f6
Dundalk’s second wasn’t long arriving: on 11 minutes, Stefan Colovic’s perfect corner found the head of Brian Gatland, whose downward header bounced past McCabe and found the same corner as Duffy’s earlier scorcher.
The hosts appeared to be well in control but they did receive a fair warning after they doubled their lead when Denzil Fernandes delivered a good cross towards Dayle Rooney, who couldn’t find the mark with his header despite finding a yard of space between Gartland and Andy Boyle.
11: GOAL!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 11, 2020
Dundalk 2-0 Shelbourne (Gartland).@B_Garts with rises highest to meet Čolović's out-swinging corner to make it 2-0.
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #LOI pic.twitter.com/e59PE9DPuo
Madness then ensued as Shels wiped out Dundalk’s lead in a matter of moments. Firstly, Poynton’s whipped free-kick from the left flank was steered home by Dan Byrne to drag the Dubliners back into the contest.
And the leveller followed just three minutes later with two former Dundalk men at the heart of it, and one of their goalscorers adjudged to have been at fault: Gartland was penalised for a push on Ciaran Kilduff inside the area and previous provider Poynton turned goalscorer as he converted from the spot.
After 23 minutes, it was 2-2.
21: GOAL!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 11, 2020
Dundalk 2-1 SHELS (Byrne).
What an opening 20 minutes at Oriel. Cracking ball in from Georgie Poynton met at the near post by Dan Byrne & @shelsfc are back in the game.
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #LOI pic.twitter.com/HCZ0F3r6F0
24: GOAL!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 11, 2020
Dundalk 2-2 SHELS (Poynton).
Brian Gartland penalised for a drag on Ciarán Kilduff & Georgie Poynton scores the penalty to make it 2-2.
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #LOI pic.twitter.com/VEuvTYFqnH
Darragh Leahy had a chance saved by McCabe following the leveller and the sides exchanged long-range efforts between then and the break, with the visitors naturally growing into proceedings having turned the encounter on its head.
Dundalk, though, started the second half on the front foot.
Duffy came close but couldn’t convert Colovic’s cross from the right on the stretch, but his earlier goal was then matched in its spectacular nature by the strike which proved to be the winner.
Sloggett won the ball back himself in the final third, dispossessing Sean Quinn before rifling an unstoppable effort past McCabe as the clock ticked towards the hour.
The game then opened up majorly, with Dundalk’s Daniel Kelly and Shels’ Karl Sheppard spurning golden opportunities to make it 4-2 or 3-3 respectively.
Dundalk, however, had enough in the end, missing another couple of half-chances to put the game to bed but holding out for a 3-2 victory during their manager’s first home league game in charge.
“It is unbelievable this league, the game is never finished,” said Giovagnoli. “You have to fight until the end.
“I am happy for the performance and I am happy for the players.
“We are confident. We are working well”
"It is unbelievable this league, the game is never finished. You have to fight until the end.
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 11, 2020
"I am happy for the performance and I am happy for the players.
"We are confident. We are working well"
Filippo Giovagnoli spoke to @ConMurphySport after his side's win tonight. #LOI pic.twitter.com/7IDwysWG8Z
Shels boss Ian Morris, meanwhile, was left to rue a missed opportunity, describing himself as “extremely frustrated.” He added: “I think we let them off the hook a little bit tonight.
“In the second half, we were the architects of our own downfall.”
"Extremely frustrated. I think we let them off the hook a little bit tonight.
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 11, 2020
"In the second half, we were the architects of our own downfall"
A frustrated Ian Morris spoke to Con after his side's entertaining defeat tonight. #LOI pic.twitter.com/RrnT7ZyPDZ
