Shelbourne 0-0 UCD
Shels struggle to score
Continuing an early season trend, Shelbourne once again failed to reap their due reward, in yet another game in which they were unable to convert their class and dominance into scores. While UCD goalie Barry Ryan and the woodwork combined to deny the Reds, many of the Tolka faithful are beginning to question whether former favourite Garry Haylock will ever rediscover his scoring prowess. Haylock was well marked out of the game by the taller Clive Delaney, and Red Bull was amazed that manager Keely delayed so long before bringing on the quicker and more subtle skills of Johnny Powell. To date this season, all that Haylock has done is ‘throw a few shapes’ and act the ‘old pro’.
Forget the first half of the game, which was surpassed only in terms of mediocrity and monotony, by Frank Stapleton’s co-commentary from Zagreb on TV3 the following evening. Back to Tolka Park on Friday night, however, that other elocution mangler - Dermot Keely, presumably performed his party-piece bollockin’ in the dressing room at half time, as the Reds moved up a couple of gears from the restart and began to play football.
With neither of the Shels strikers Geoghegan or Haylock on-form, it was left to midfielder Carel van der Velden and full back Deco Geoghegan - who both hit almost identical long range screamers that hit the right-hand upright – to provide the early second half chances. On the hour, the Reds’ bench went for a tactical switch, with Tommy Byrne coming on to allow Ritchie Baker move to the right wing in place of elder brother Dessie. This almost paid early dividends, when the U/20 international winger whipped in an inch perfect cross to Pat Scully in front of goal. However, the Shels captain, though meeting the ball head on, uncharacteristically got no power into the header, and ‘keeper Ryan had time to scramble back across his line to make the save.
The Real Reds continued to press forward, with even the impressive (this match - his 100th league appearance) centre-half Tony McCarthy dribbling his way up the field. It was left to that man, van der Velden again, to sign-off proceedings for the night with another powerful long range strike, that was only just fingered over the bar, to ensure that the points were shared between the two Dublin sides.
Team :Williams; Heary , McCarthy, Scully, D Geoghegan; D Baker (T Byrne 60 mins), van der Velden, Fenlon, R Baker; S Geoghegan, Haylock (Powell 76 mins).
Comment : Though largely a disappointing and fruitless game, Red Bull reminds the usual prophets of doom; that only for a couple of splinters of timber or finger-tips, they could so very easily have been celebrating in the bar afterwards and lauding some spectacular goals.