Shelbourne 3 - 0 Bandon

Shelbourne advanced into the third round of the FAI Cup with a 3-0 win over Bandon in Tolka Park on Friday night, courtesy of a Dean Kelly brace and a Mark Leech chip.

Bandon made the long trip up to Drumcondra to take on Shelbourne in their first ever FAI Cup second round clash. Recently promoted to the top tier of Munster amateur football for the first time in their history, the West Cork side had nothing to lose as they took on bottom of the Premier League side, Shelbourne.

Indeed it was Bandon who created the first chance of the game. Brendan Cullen received the ball in the box with his back to goal after six minutes. With no pressure put on him he turned but scuffed his shot harmlessly wide of the target. It was an excellent early chance for the Munster side.

After that Shels began to get more of a hold of the ball and dominate possession. A sweetly struck volley from Robert Bayly after a Seán Brennan corner flew narrowly wide before Dean Kelly’s back-post header also missed the target on 20 minutes.

However, just a minute later Kelly had the ball in the back of the net. Seán Brennan picked the ball up on the right-wing and swung a super dipping cross into the box. Kelly was left completely unmarked allowing him to steer the ball into the bottom corner.

Six minutes later Adam Hanlon fashioned himself a chance by skipping past two defenders inside the Bandon box before firing a shot straight at Brendan Hurley.

Bandon were then almost allowed in on the Shels goal when Pat Flynn was forced into a mistake at left-back. Richard Holland picked up the ball and advanced into the danger area but Stephen Hurley’s excellent challenge averted the danger.

Kelly was causing the Cork side a lot of trouble and went close again three minutes short of half-time. This time it was Rob Cornwall’s ball that found the head of Kelly but his attempt clipped the top of the bar.

Shels always looked in control but there was a feeling that, the longer the defecit was only one goal, the longer Bandon were still in with a chance of taking something from the game.

Indeed Bandon created the first chance of the second half when Brendan Cullen picked the ball up in acres of space on the left-wing. However, as he bore down on goal, he lost his footing right at the vital moment and the chance was gone.

Much like the first half Shels began to enjoy more possession as the half wore on with Dean Kelly continuing to act as a thorn in the Bandon defence. On 59 minutes it was Philly Hughes who missed a good chance for The Reds, however. Excellent build-up play ended in Seán Brennan caressing a ball around the last defender and onto Hughes’ chest. But the former Monaghan man could only fire over the bar.

Kelly obviously felt he needed to show Hughes how it was done and he did, just two minutes later. A lobbed ball into the box was brought down on the thigh of Kelly and slotted past Brendan Hurley to give Shels a vital second goal and end Bandon’s hopes of getting back into the game.

Shels were now creating chances at will as Bandon began to tire. Philly Hughes skipped past two defenders before shooting straight at Brendan Hurley. Minutes later Dean Kelly had a low shot cleared off the line that would have seen him net his hat-trick.

The Cork side nearly grabbed a goal with ten minutes to go when Ger Hanley was forced into a diving save from Keith Holden’s effort.

Two minutes later they went close again, this time courtesy of Richard Holland who curled a low shot inches wide of Ger Hanley’s left-hand post.

Darren Tinnelly and Robert Bayly went close for Shels in the final ten minutes before Mark Leech netted a third for The Reds. A one-two between Leech and Kelly saw Leech get in behind the Bandon defence and lob the ball over the goalkeeper.

It was a convincing win for Shels and one that will give them confidence as they go in search of the points to keep them in the Premier Division for next season.

Shelbourne:  Ger Hanley; Robert Cornwall, Graham Gartland, Ian Ryan, Pat Flynn; Seán Brennan (Darren Tinnelly, 75), Stephen Hurley, Robert Bayly, Adam Hanlon; Dean Kelly (Jake Donnelly, 88), Philip Hughes.

Subs not used: Niall Burdon; Mark Leech, Alex Prizeman, Adam O’Connor, Stephen Sheerin.

Booked: None.

Bandon: Brendan Hurley; Jerry Lynch, Darren Cullen, Brendan Lynch (Michael Bradfield, 77), Shane Barry; Keith Holden, Seán Holland, Seán Lordan (Gavin Shields, 63), John O’Sullivan; Brendan Cullen (Edwin Andepu, 88), Richard Holland.

Subs not used: Audie Dunlea, John O’Donovan, Mark Crowley, Aidan O’Donoghue.

Booked: None.

Referee: Rob Harvey

Attendance: 356

Extratime.ie man of the match: Dean Kelly