Shelbourne were held to a draw at Tolka Park by Galway United in the League of Ireland Premier Division, with both goals coming within a two-minute spell.
Shelbourne 1
Galway United 1
Kris Twardek scored the opener for Galway minutes after coming on, before Shelbourne won a penalty almost instantly after the restart which was expertly dispatched by Harry Wood.
Shelbourne controlled possession throughout and had the better of the chances overall, but a fantastic Galway defence frustrated the hosts.
Joey O’Brien’s side also lost both of their starting centre backs through injury, in a worrying blow so early on in the season.
Galway will certainly be the happier of the sides with a point, but there will be concern over the performances of their front line of Francely Lomboto and Stephen Walsh, who were hooked by John Caulfiled just ten minutes into the second half.
Shelbourne dominated the early exchanges and had some joy down their right-hand side with Harry Wood and Milan Mbeng combining well.
New addition Maill Lundgren had the first shot of the game for the hosts ten minutes in but his effort from the edge of the box flew over the bar.
Shels kept up the pressure though and had a penalty shout minutes later through Harry Wood, but the contact from Gianfranco Facchineri was minimal to say the least and referee Kevin O’Sullivan waved play on.
Galway defended deep for much of the first half, and it was 15 minutes in before Wessel Speel in the Shelbourne goal had anything to do, gathering a flicked-on header that looked for a moment like it might fall favourably to Francely Lomboto in the box.
Midway through the first half Shels had another penalty shout, albeit half hearted, when Fachinerri appeared to block down another Wood shot, but his arm was tucked into his body and adjudged to be in a natural position by the referee.
Just before half time there was worrying signs for the hosts when Captain Paddy Barrett was forced off with injury. Replacement Sam Bone almost had an instant impact when he nicked the ball from Galway in the middle of the pitch and made a driving run forward before finding Wood, who couldn’t get a shot away.
After a first period of few chances, the second half continued in the same fashion until the game burst into life just after the hour mark.
John Cauilfield had seen enough from his forward line and took off both Walsh and Lomboto just ten minutes into the second half, bringing on Kris Twardek and Connor Barratt for his debut.
The changes gave Galway much more going forward and after good pressure from Galway saw Kerr McInroy give away a needless throw in his own half, Hurley found himself free inside Shelbourne’s box and calmly squared it for Twardek to curl a deft finish past Speel with the inside of his foot.
United’s joy was short lived however, with Shels going straight down the other end from the kick off and Wasiri Williams clumsy challenge on new signing Rodrigo Freitas left Kevin O’Sullivan no choice but to point to the spot.
Wood, who was excellent throughout, stepped up struck his penalty high into the right-hand corner of Galway’s goal, leaving John Cauilfield exasperated on the touchline.
The tempo of the game picked up massively and Shelbourne took back control and should have scored when a following a sweeping counterattack saw McInroy one against one with Watts, but his shot was straight at the Welshman.
Watts was called into action again a few minutes later and made a stunning save down to his left-hand side to deny Lundgren from close range.
McInroy had a great chance to win it late on from a free kick, his strike looked to be heading on target but was deflected wide by his own man.
A last-minute penalty appeal by Shels was dismissed by the referee, and he booked substitute Freitas for diving.
A Connaught derby against Silgo Rovers at home awaits Galway next week, while Shelbourne will travel to face Drogheda United.
Man of the match: Harry Wood was very impressive for Shelbourne and was a handful for the Galway defence throughout the game, causing huge problems drifting inside on his left foot. He took his penalty very well and was unlucky to leave without at least another goal.
Shelbourne: (4-2-3-1), Wessel Speel, Milan Mbeng, Odhran Casey, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge, Kerr McInroy, Jack Henry-Francis, Harry Wood, Maill Lundgren, Will Jarvis, Jon Martin.
Subs: Sam Bone for Paddy Barett (42’), Sean Boyd for Will Jarvis (60’), Rodrigo Freitas for Jon Martin (60’), Evan Caffery for Milan Mbeng (60’), Daniel Kelly for Maill Lundgren (76’).
Galway United: (5-3-2), Evan Watts, Arthur Parker, Wasiri Williams, Killian Brouder, Gianfranco Facchineri, Lee Devitt, Aaron Bolger, David Hurley, Jimmy Keohane, Francely Lomboto, Stephen Walsh.
Subs: Kris Twardek for Francely Lomboto (55’), Connor Barratt for Stephen Walsh (55’), Ed McCarthy for Jimmy Keohane (74’), Matty Wolfe for Aaron Bolger (82’).
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.
By: Eoin Langan.