O'Brien downs Dundalk as Shelbourne regain top spot

Shelbourne regained their position at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division table after Aiden O'Brien’s fourth minute strike saw them end a 12-year drought against bottom of the table Dundalk at Oriel Park.

The Reds hadn’t won at the Co Louth venue since 2012 but the former Republic of Ireland striker’s instinctive early finish saw them claim a huge victory on a night where Derry City lost away to Galway United.

The Candystripes had briefly replaced Damien Duff’s side at the top of the table last weekend but the Tolka Park outfit now sit three clear once more, with a game in hand to come against Bohemians next Friday.

The visitors had to do things the hard way despite their early goal with Jon Daly’s men pushing hard for an equaliser.

However, Conor Kearns and his defence held out for a 14th clean sheet of the campaign to ensure a potentially huge victory in the race for the title.

The hosts had a major let-off as early as the second minute when Sean Keogh’s attempted header back was short, allowing Ali Coote to nip in and toe poke past Felix Goddard. Fortunately for the Lilywhites, he was unable to get full purchase on his attempt as Andy Boyle got across to clear.

Dundalk failed to heed that warning, however, as they found themselves behind two minutes later. Wood’s ball in from the left saw Coote steal in behind Keogh again. Goddard got down to prevent him from passing him but O’Brien was on hand to hammer the loose ball to the net ahead of Hayden Cann for what was his first league goal for the club.

To their credit, the home side went agonisingly close to an equaliser on 12 minutes after Shane Griffin failed to deal with Keogh’s ball forward. Eoin Kenny picked up on the loose ball and lobbed Kearns but the