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Aiden O'Brien celebrates. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

O'Brien's first league goal hands Shelbourne vital win over Dundalk

A big boost for Damien Duff’s side in the chase for the title.

Dundalk 0

Shelbourne 1

Niall Newberry reports from Oriel Park

SHELBOURNE ARE ONE step closer to becoming SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions after securing a hard-fought 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Dundalk.

Ex-Republic of Ireland international Aiden O’Brien’s first league goal since joining Shels is all that separated the teams in what was a cagey affair at Oriel Park, as Damien Duff’s side moved three points clear at the top of second-place Derry City with a game in hand.

Title-chasing Shels came close to taking the lead inside two minutes when Sean Keogh failed in his attempt to head an innocuous JJ Lunney ball back towards Felix Goddard – a mishap which almost led to an Ali Coote goal before Andy Boyle cleared off the line.

The Dubliners did go in front two minutes later, though, with Coote latching onto a Harry Wood ball from the left before Goddard’s mishap allowed O’Brien to slot home.

Shels were in control throughout the early stages of this fixture and could have added a second shortly after that opener, as skipper Mark Coyle fired an effort wide of the target.

At the opposite end, Keogh’s ball over the top saw Eoin Kenny get the better of Shane Griffin before almost lobbing Shels stopper Conor Kearns, as Dundalk began to settle.

Jamie Gullan’s free-kick attempt stung the hands of goalkeeper Kearns, while just past the half-hour mark, Daryl Horgan curled a shot off target after he had cut inside the left.

The last chance of the half came two minutes before the break, as Wood’s corner from the left was directed goalwards by Paddy Barrett, but only into the hands of Goddard.

In a second 45 which lacked clear-cut chances, Robbie Mahon’s snapshot was saved at the near post by the feet of Kearns, while at the other end, Hayden Cann cleared O’Brien’s header off the line right before Coote volleyed over from just inside the area.

Dundalk’s best chance of rescuing a point came 11 minutes from time when Dan Pike’s cross was met by Ryan O’Kane, whose first-time hit crashed off the inside of the post.

Dundalk: Felix Goddard; Dan Pike, Andy Boyle, Hayden Cann, Sean Keogh (Robbie Benson 59); Daryl Horgan, Aodh Dervin, John Mountney, Robbie Mahon (Ryan O’Kane 69); Eoin Kenny (Scott McGill 69), Jamie Gullan.

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Sean Gannon, Paddy Barrett, Shane Griffin, Tyreke Wilson (Kameron Ledwidge 77); Mark Coyle (Evan Caffrey 60), JJ Lunney (John O’Sullivan 83); Ali Coote, Harry Wood (Matty Smith 60), Rayhaan Tulloch (Liam Burt 77); Aiden O’Brien.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

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    Mute John Fitz
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:11 PM

    Fair play and well deserved.
    Obviously Munster have a long way to go. And some serious issues in terms of squad build, retirements and finances, but…
    Hard not to see the progress under Rowntree.
    In terms of style of play, player promotion and the overall feeling of progress it’s miles ahead of JVG era

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:50 PM

    @John Fitz: 100 percent agree

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    Mute Andy O'Shea
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:01 PM

    Sweet Jesus, read the article. Voted for by the head coaches. His peers picked him, not some randomer on the street.

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:52 PM

    @Andy O’Shea: why read when you can just shoot from the hip

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    Mute Andrew Slazenger
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:49 PM

    Jake White finished 2nd in league, beat the best team on paper in the semi, if Bulls win on Sat (probable) then surely he is URC coach of the season

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    Mute Brenda Collins
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    Jun 20th 2024, 9:37 AM

    @Andrew Slazenger: Munster won it last year. I’d say the award for rowntree is in recognition of the good work he’s done for Munster in his tenure. Getting to the semi final and wins away in South Africa continued his success from the previous. Demonstrated that it was not a “flash in the pan”.

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    Mute Justin Robinson
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:05 PM

    Backing up winning an arguably undeserved or shock trophy by finishing top of the log was a great effort, especially in the light of the injuries. I don’t begrudge GR the award although he’d probably be the first to say it feels a bit hollow at the moment.

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    Mute Stuart
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:22 PM

    Given the biggest upset in URC history happened 5 days ago , think a certain coach in blue should have been in for a shout. Ah well. Well just take a third final in a row in the republic to keep the finances rolling in.

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    Mute TL55
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:41 PM

    @Stuart: Agreed. Both finalists head coaches must’ve run him close.

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:43 PM

    @Stuart: how is 2nd beating 3rd the biggest upset in history?
    Surely that’s a bit far fetched ?

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:00 PM

    @Stuart: you are correct, Franco smith would be a good shout.

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:49 PM

    @Stuart: No surprise their SA fans are the worse fans in the world all i see is them crying moaning even when they win

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:58 PM

    @damien reidy: didnt the bulls beat lenister plenty times too not biggest shock at all

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    Mute Rob O'Connor
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:16 PM

    @Square: ok flip the script, say it was now a Munster v Leinster final… wouldn’t you feel aggrieved if the Blues or Glasgow coach was voted coach of the season? I’m guessing this vote was done before the semi finals…

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:42 PM

    @Rob O’Connor: finishing top of the table probably reflects better as a more consistent coach than winning a few knock out games does.

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:46 PM

    @Rob O’Connor: it’s for the whole season… 13 game unbeaten run wining both games in South Africa as well
    I think it’s pretty good call

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:47 PM

    @Square: I agree… but high Veldt logic can be a bit nuts at the best of times
    Ask Eben Rassie and DDA

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:04 PM

    @damien reidy: i think my reply was for stuart

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:06 PM

    @Square: sorry boss

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    Mute Ciaran Kennedy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:20 PM

    @Stuart: what are you smoking! Glasgow Munster is always close, yes it was an upset but hardly a big one

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:31 PM

    @Ciaran Kennedy: think he was talking about the bulls beating Leinster

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:46 PM

    @damien reidy: yes even both semi finals were allways going to be close both bulls and the scotish side are bogey sides for the irish

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    Mute Brenda Collins
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    Jun 20th 2024, 9:38 AM

    @Stuart: based on one game?

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    Mute Brenda Collins
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    Jun 20th 2024, 9:40 AM

    @Rob O’Connor: getting to the late stages of the comp, including excellent wins in SA engineered through shrewd tactical selections, while also dealing with the injury crises and personnel changes he’s had to deal is a sign of a good coach.

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    Mute Eoin H
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:22 PM

    Leo has been robbed here, you need to be an unique head coach to go trophyless with a group of players who won back to back 6n, a test series in New Zealand and 17 international test matches on the trot including beating every tier 1 side

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    Mute J M
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:55 PM

    @Eoin H: as a leinster supporter i wholeheartedly agree!

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    Mute seamus Beirne
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:42 PM

    Based on selection last week alone, I would have disqualified him. Possibly, the worst team selection blunder I have seen. He is a decent guy and has Munster in a better place than before. But his decision to leave Snyman and Coombes out in a home SF defies all logic to me. Definitely one of the finalist’s manger should be getting this award which should be subsequent to the final. Meaningless anyway.

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:25 PM

    @seamus Beirne: Should have left Snyman out altogether, he was hopeless when he came on.

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    Mute J M
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:55 PM

    @Ray Ridge: Thought i was watching the basketball with those terrible no-look passes from snyman

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    Mute James
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:07 PM

    @J M: Greatest 2nd row to ever play the game according to some.

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    Mute Brenda Collins
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    Jun 20th 2024, 9:44 AM

    @seamus Beirne: agree on Snyman when the available alternative was not Edogbo or Ahern, who are outstanding athletes in their own right, but to be fair, springing Coombes from the bench to deliver huge impact at 50 or 60 minutes was a master stroke over the previous few games, so I get why he stuck with that. Perhaps he could have sprung him earlier, but he was game-changing from the bench in those earlier games.

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    Mute Tony Kelly
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:07 PM

    What a handsome chap he is too !

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:30 PM

    @Tony Kelly: Even more handsome than Leo!!

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    Mute Aidan Farrell
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:22 PM

    Blew a handy URC title last weekend. Nothing surprises me in rugby anymore. Mediocrity being celebrated everywhere you look.

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    Mute John Paul Mullins
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:43 PM

    @Aidan Farrell: Jesus 5 years trophyless. I thought ye were the best team on the planet? U must be in a lot of pain. :-D

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    Mute Robert O'Connor
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:25 PM

    @John Paul Mullins: your maths needs work, ye harp on about your singular league trophy in at least a decade so much you must’ve forgotten the last time Leinster won one.

    In all serious you can troll without blatant lies just go off and think about it a little because what you’re saying makes you seem pretty pathetic. If you need me to spell it out for you just respond with more lies

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    Mute John Paul Mullins
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:35 PM

    @Robert O’Connor: look at u. U couldn’t help yourself. U can’t take it :-D hahaha. 5 years and counting buddy! Looool

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    Mute Mark Symmons
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:40 PM

    @Aidan Farrell: just Irish rugby. We are world beaters at it. Expecting a look back doc on RTE2 any day now on that time we beat an All Blacks 15 on holiday in Chicago.

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    Mute John Sunderland
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:52 PM

    @John Paul Mullins: 15 years for Munster

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    Mute John Paul Mullins
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:21 PM

    @John Sunderland: incorrect. We won it last year buddy. Lol :-D

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    Mute John Sunderland
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:24 PM

    @John Paul Mullins: 15 years and counting buddy lol

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    Mute John Paul Mullins
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    Jun 19th 2024, 5:14 PM

    @John Sunderland: u obviously can’t read buddy. Try again. Lol

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    Mute John Sunderland
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    Jun 19th 2024, 5:27 PM

    @John Paul Mullins: look at u couldn’t help urself :) hahahaha 15 years and counting buddy loool

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:49 PM

    Well desreved

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:01 PM
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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:47 PM

    What? They won Nahin sure?

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    Mute PatN
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    Jun 20th 2024, 11:50 AM

    I find it hard to understand why it was deemed a major upset that the second placed Bulls beat third placed Leinster at home at altitude. The only URC team that has figured out how to win in SA is Munster, and for that alone Roundtree should be coach of the year.

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