UCD 0-2 Shelbourne

Spectator sends off Geogho !

A slightly flattering scoreline belies the worth and quality of this hard earned victory over a UCD side that pushed the Real Reds to the limits, and who might have ended the visitors unbeaten run but for an outstanding display from Steve Williams in goals. In a finely balanced and enthralling contest, the tide seemed to have turned against Shelbourne when Stephen Geoghegan was somewhat controversially sent off just after the hour. Red Bull doesn’t deny that Geogho was guilty of throwing a punch at Kilmurray. But, the referee didn’t see the offence. The linesman didn’t see it either, nor did he flag for any infringement during the fracas that ensued when Keddy followed in on Ryan in the UCD goal. Red Bull was standing near the corner flag, and long after the ref had booked Keddy, a spectator (UCD or neutral ?) called to the linesman and informed him of Geogho’s indiscretion. He in turn then called the ref, who proceeded to red-card the Shelsman, on the basis of hearsay from a spectator. Red Bull awaits Ollie’s protestations ???

Sending out the same eleven that started against Bohs the previous week, Keely makes no secret of his favour for the hard-working Doolin. His selection was justified, as with Nutsy Fenlon having a bit of an off-night, it was Doolo who held things together for the first hour or so before making way for van der Velden. But it was the UCD midfield pairing of Ciaran Kavanagh & Ciaran Martyn who held the upper hand throughout much of the first half and the Students were denied a number of times with Williams on top form in goals. Shels also rode their luck with a couple of deflections falling kindly for their Welsh netminder.

The Reds looked to have weathered the storm in the 35th minute when Richie Baker ran at the UCD defence and sent brother Dessie clear of the offside trap with only the advancing keeper to beat. However, it wasn’t to be, as Dessie side-footed the ball right and wide. Soon after, Geoghegan should have had a penalty when he was blatantly brought down in the box, but incredibly his claims were ignored by referee Whelan. Both sides continued to attack after the break, with Shels looking the more likely. Winger James Keddy on the left, was involved in several good moves and both Nutsy & Geogho might have done better with headers, when set up by the former UCD man.

Following their controversial reduction to 10 men, the Reds manfully stuck to their task with Richie Baker in particular running his heart out, before giving way to the fresh legs ( ? ) of the Stockin’. Red Bull says fair play to the Stockin’. He was largely instrumental in turning the game. He had 12 minutes to show and he ran around in ever-decreasing / increasing circles, like a man possessed – pumping his arms and legs for all he was worth. Two minutes on the field and he was back in defence in the thick of the action. He won a header which he knocked across-field to set Keddy free, wide on the left. Keddy’s first effort was deflected back to him by Delaney, before he struck a thundering shot into the top left-hand corner. The Reds then had one or two wobbly moments in defence, before wrapping it up on the 90th minute. Dessie Baker, now switched to the right wing, broke away down the flank, sending in an inch-perfect cross to the Stockin’ in front of goal. He chested it down and then neatly slid the ball left, out of reach of Ryan, to the put the icing on a fine win for the Reds.

Team : Williams; Heary, McCarthy, Scully, D Geoghegan (Byrne 85 mins); R Baker (Haylock 78 mins), Doolin (van der Velden 60 mins) , Fenlon , Keddy; S Geoghegan, D Baker.

Red Bull '99

Comment : It's great to see James Keddy back to his best for Shels. An excellent goal, and I couldnt have seen the second going in if it was not for the first boosting the Red's morale. Another victory, what is very heartening about this one is that it was not another one nil! On paper at least, 2-0 against UCD is an excellent scoreline.