Shelbourne implode as they drop points against Drogheda United

Drogheda United 1-1 Shelbourne

Two minutes of madness and two red cards cost Shelbourne dearly on Thursday night, just when it looked like they were cruising to three points against Drogheda United.

Paddy Barrett was first to go when he was shown a second yellow card on 79 minutes.

Two minutes later, Tyreke Wilson went from hero to zero when he got his marching orders for handball inside the area.

His 20th minute opener looked set to send the points back to Tolka Park. But he too was the recipient of two yellows - the second when he blocked Adam Foley’s fierce shot with his hand.

Foley took the spot-kick and managed to lift his shot over the dive of goalkeeper Conor Kearns, who guessed right, but couldn’t extend his arm high enough to keep the ball out.

It was an incredible end to the night, with Shels not just hitting, but smashing the self-destruct button.

The win had rarely looked in doubt up to Barrett’s dismissal.

With Derry City losing 2-1 at Sligo Rovers, Damien Duff’s side have extended their lead at the top of the Premier Division to three points.

But it should be five - ahead of a long wait for their next league game.

Irish football’s European participants - including Shels and Derry - won’t be in league action again until early-August. Plenty of time to stew over last night’s missed opportunity.

Wilson’s header after just 20 minutes sent them into a lead that they didn’t look like surrendering over the next 59 minutes.

The left-back was one of the smallest players on the pitch, but he somehow found himself unmarked on the six-yard line to powerfully head home Evan Caffrey’s corner.

Shels had enough control of the ball to feel comfortable, even with their slender lead.

They are no strangers to one-goal wins. Only three of their wins this season in the league have been by a bigger margin.

And with Kearns in goal, there is a high degree of confidence evident among their defenders when they get pushed back inside their attacking third.

He gobbled up all that Drogheda threw at him last night, which was mostly crosses and overhit passes, until he was beaten from 12 yards by Foley.

Maybe if Douglas James-Taylor, on-loan from Walsall, had shown more decisiveness last night, Drogheda might have found a way back into this one earlier in the evening.

Twice, either side of half-time, he found himself in a promising position with Boynesiders fans urging him to pull the trigger. On both occasions he hesitated.

The first one ultimately led to a Luke Heeney curler from outside the area, which had Kearns at full-stretch to push away.

But on the second occasion, shortly after the break, as he burst into the area he seemed to be in two minds and was squeezed out before he could shoot or square the ball.

The return of Mark Coyle from suspension to Shelbourne’s midfield, alongside the outstanding Jonathan Lunney, ensured that control of the engine room belonged to the visitors.

And on the bench they had an embarrassment of riches, with Harry Wood returning to the club, this time on a permanent basis from Hull.

Shelbourne had gone ahead through Tyreke Wilson
(Image: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane)

He came on in the second-half, as did Sean Boyd and Ali Coote.

Within four minutes of Coote’s arrival, all hell broke loose.

Barrett was already on a yellow when he threw a leg out and caught Drogheda substitute Ryan Brennan.

Sensing their opportunity, the hosts pushed forward and were handed a lifeline when Wilson stuck his hand out towards Foley’s drive.

There was a considerable wait between the awarding of the penalty and the taking of the spot-kick, with referee Paul McLaughlin having to deal with lengthy protests.

And then he had to call over to the fourth official for a replacement football, as the one that Wilson handled had gone missing.

Foley didn’t let the delay get to him. He kept his head and struck his kick confidently to his left.

Suddenly the hosts were pressing for the win - and they came agonisingly close to getting it, with James-Taylor’s header dropping into Kearns’ arms and Warren Davies’ curler flashing just wide of the post.

Killian Cailloce then headed his effort across goal and wide from close range.

Earlier in the day, Drogheda’s executive director Wesley Hill issued a statement saying: “This season has been unusual and disappointing, with performances not initially reflecting in our results.”

For 79 minutes last night, they looked like they would deservedly come away with nothing. By the end, they should have been celebrating all three points.

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