Conor Kane suffers nasty injury as Dundalk and Shelbourne draw

There was no separating Dundalk and Shelbourne in what was a fiery contest at Casey's Field.

This was the Louth side’s first game at their renamed ground which has switched from Oriel Park until the end of the season in memory of honorary club president Des Casey, who passed away on 23 August.

The former FAI president and vice-president was a goalkeeper in his playing days and would have been pleased with the level of defending and goalkeeping on show.

It would have been of little joy to Stephen O’Donnell, who has now seen his side go from potential title challengers this time last month to facing a battle to qualify for Europe.

This result saw them fall two points behind Derry City in second, with fourth-placed St Patrick’s Athletic closing the gap behind them to two points, with both sides having games in hand.

The Lilywhites will feel key decisions went against them on the night but with just one point from their last nine on offer in the league, they know they must win away to bottom-of-the-table UCD next week to reignite their campaign.

Damien Duff’s side have now held Dundalk three times this season but a late serious looking injury to Conor Kane will no doubt sour their night slightly.

The visitors started on top and could well have been ahead on eight minutes when Shane Farrell broke down the right only to see his low drive touched around the post by Nathan Shepperd.

The resulting corner from Jonathan Lunney was then met at the near post by Brian McManus but he couldn’t direct it on target.

Farrell was at the heart of things for Shels once again on 18 minutes when he was released once again on the right by Aodh Dervin.

His cross looked destined to find Matty Smith but Andy Boyle got back to deny the Scot what would have