Boyle's early birthday present fires Dundalk to comeback victory

Andy Boyle kick-started his birthday celebrations early with the winning goal as Dundalk came from behind to beat Shelbourne at Oriel Park.

Damien Duff's side had taken a 15th-minute lead through John Ross Wilson but Rayhann Tulloch cancelled it out three minutes into the second half before captain for the night Boyle popped up with a match-winning header on 69 minutes ahead of his 32nd birthday on Tuesday.

It was just the second time under Stephen O’Donnell’s management that his Dundalk side have come from behind to win a league game and it proved to be perfect timing as they built on their 5-0 win over St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night.

Shels, who now have four points from four matches, were the better side for much of the first half and will be disappointed to have left Oriel Park empty handed but the fighting spirit of the Lilywhites proved decisive in the end.

The first chance fell the way of the home side on 12 minutes with Archie Davies breaking up the right before pulling the ball back to John Martin, who saw his effort blocked by Andrew Quinn.

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After Cameron Elliott headed wide from another Davies cross, Shelbourne broke down the opposite end to take the lead with their first chance of the game on 15 minutes. Darragh Leahy failed to deal with Cameron Ledwidge’s long punt forward and Wilson was on hand to take advantage by stealing in behind the Dundalk defence before rounding Nathan Shepperd to slot home.

The Louth men were then fortunate not to find themselves two behind on 29 minutes. Wasiri Williams failed to deal with Conor Kearns' kick out, allowing Jack Moylan in on goal but Boyle got back to force a corner just when it looked that the former Wexford player was about to score. The corner