Shelbourne 1-0 St. Francis

Doolin does the business

Taking a breather from their record breaking unbeaten run of 20 games in the league, Shels traveled to the wilds of south west County Dublin, for an apparent handy - on paper, anyhow - 2nd round FAI cup-tie against lowly First Division side St. Francis. Given the Real Reds' propensity this season, to make hard work of supposedly lesser opposition, an upset could not be ruled out.

A late selection crisis deprived the visitors of any recognised strikers - apart from Dessie Baker, depending on one's view - with Stephen Geoghegan & the Stocking being on the injured list and John Powel unavailable after his loan period with the Drogs ( how did Ollie slip up on that one ?). James Keddy was a flu victim, so an unfamiliar Red's line-up took to the field, with Keely opting for a 4 man midfield, bringing in utility man Tommy Byrne on the left flank, and slotting Carel van der Velden in behind lone forward Dessie Baker, as a linkman.

Shels went on the offensive right from the kick-off, winning a corner in the opening seconds over on the left side. Nutsy's corner was met with a firm header from his captain Pat Scully, which was only inches wide. Dessie Baker might have done better to finish off a cross in from Heary, but his attempted flick failed to pay off. Van der Velden, haven't gotten a rare start, was putting himself about, and he almost scored a scorcher from about 25 yards out on the left, after combining with Byrne and Baker, his curling volley just curved outside the right-hand upright, with the Francis keeper already beaten.

After this initial surge, the game settled into an untidy scramble with both side struggling in vain to overcome the strong and gusting winds on a bitter cold night. Engaging in long bouts of head tennis, most moves ended before they began, with the ball inevitably finding touch. Even with wind generally in their favour, St. Francis kept it tight and took no chances, choosing to clear all attacks upfield into space or out to the relative safety of the sideline. They created only 1 half-chance, when Gahan got lucky to pick up a loose ball from Richie, and his long speculative lob rippled the side netting - from the outside.

After the break, and now playing with the wind at their backs, Shels began to assert their authority, with the difference in class between both sides beginning to count. The Francis keeper, Cathal Warfield - a nephew of veteran republican warbler Derek Warfield of the Wolf Tones - was certainly on song, on the night. Aside from flattening 2 of his own players in separate incidents, he was solely responsible for keeping the Reds at bay. The Shels goal, eventually came on 67 minutes, when after a corner conceded under little pressure, was swung in by van der Velden from the left. Doolin was waiting calmly in a crowded goalmouth on the back post and his coolly headed ball found the gap between Warfield and the post to give the Reds the lead. Having made the breakthrough, Shels then declared open season on Warfield's goal. But, despite fine efforts from Nutsy, Dessie Baker and VDV, Warfield was having the game of his life and the score remained unchanged, for the Real Reds to advance to the next round.

Team : Williams Heary, McCarthy, Scully, D Geoghegan ; R Baker, Doolin (Kelly 78mins), Fenlon , Byrne (Campbell 84 mins) , van der Velden ; D Baker .

Comment : Nice pitch, shame about the location in the middle of the sticks. The wind spoiled what could have been a good 'footballing' game. Bollix ! - who cares how you play in the Cup, once you win and are in the hat for the next round.

Red Bull '99