KELLY THE HERO FOR THE REDS
A BRACE of goals in either half from Dean Kelly proved crucial as Johnny McDonnell completed his first week as Shelbourne manager with a comprehensive 3-0 triumph against Bandon at Tolka Park last night.
The Munster Senior League First Division side – were huge outsiders heading into this clash, but almost took a surprise lead with just six minutes gone on the clock when Richard Holland was put through on goal by his striking partner Brendan Cullen, but his final effort from a right-angle drifted well away from Ger Hanley’s goal.
This was a major let-off for Shels, but Kelly narrowly missed the target with a back-post header from a Robert Cornwall delivery after 19 minutes, before making no mistake just two minutes later when he glanced a similar cross from the right-wing by Sean Brennan past a stranded Brendan Hurley and into the bottom corner of the net.
Home
Just before the hour mark, Shels doubled their lead when Kelly stabbed home from close-range.
Mark Leech delicately clipped home a third late on for the Premier Division side.
SHELBOURNE: Hanley 7; Cornwall 7, Gartland 7, Ryan 7, Flynn 7; Brennan 7 (Tinnelly 75, 6), Hurley 7, Bayly 7, Hanlon 7; Kelly 8 (Donnelly 87, 6), Hughes 7 (Leech 82, 7). Subs not used: Burdon, Prizeman, O’Connor, Sheerin.
BANDON AFC: Hurley 7; J Lynch 6, D Cullen 6, B Lynch 6 (Bradfield 77, 6), Barry 6; Holden 6, O’Sullivan 6, Holland 6, Lordan 6 (Shields 63, 6); B Cullen 7 (Andepu 87, 6), Holland 6. Subs not used: Dunlea, O’Donavan, Crowley, O’Donoghue.