Shelbourne edge Sligo to extend European push
Shelbourne’s pursuit of European football received a timely boost as late strikes from Daniel Kelly and John Martin clinched a 2-1 victory over Sligo Rovers at Tolka Park. The win stretched Shelbourne’s winning run to four in a row and cemented their grip on third place, five points clear of Bohemians and Drogheda United in the chase for continental football next season.
Turning points and key moments
The clash began with Sligo showing intent, pressing high and creating early openings. Owen Elding and Cian Kavangah threatened from distance, while Sligo’s Will Fitzgerald sparked the move that opened the scoring on 20 minutes. A well-flighted cross from Jad Hakiki found its way to the far post, and Wessel Speel could only watch as Kavangah blasted home, giving the visitors the lead.
Shelbourne responded with intensity. Mipo Odubeko drew the sides level on 30 minutes, finishing clinically after Kerr McInroy fed him and he beat Patrick McClean with a measured strike into the corner. The leveller sparked Shelbourne’s best period of the half, though Sargeant remained a barrier with a remarkable save to deny Jack Henry-Francis shortly after the equaliser.
Second-half background and tactical shifts
After the restart, Shelbourne’s coach Joey O’Brien introduced Kameron Ledwidge and Evan Caffrey, aiming to inject pace and physicality into the attack. Caffrey’s early problem-solving run and a swift counter briefly disrupted Sligo, while Harry Wood’s corner nearly yielded a second for Shelbourne when a clearance off the line preserved Sligo’s lead.
Kelly, who would later become the match-winner, had a golden chance on 66 minutes, connecting poorly with Caffrey’s nod-down from a Henry-Francis cross. The moment epitomised Shelbourne’s relentless pressure as they searched for a breakthrough in a match that looked increasingly in their favor as the clock ticked on.
Late goals seal the result
With the game entering its final minutes, persistent pressure paid off. Wood delivered another testing set-piece, and Kelly’s low drive deflected off Fitzgerald to find the net, giving Shelbourne a lead they would not surrender. Then, in added time, Martin seized on a through-ball from Wood, racing clear and rounding Sargeant to cap a memorable night for the hosts.
Implications for the table and the season
O’Brien spoke beforehand of a monster test approaching, framing the match as a potential turning point in Shelbourne’s European ambitions. The result keeps Shelbourne in third place, five points clear of Bohemians and Drogheda United, while Sligo drop to eighth, with Waterford just behind in the relegation playoff zone on goal difference. The victory, following big wins at Shamrock Rovers and Cork City, reinforces Shelbourne’s belief that Europe remains within reach.
What’s next for Shelbourne?
With the season heading into its crucial final months, Shelbourne will be hoping to carry this momentum into a run of fixtures against direct rivals for European football. O’Brien’s side will look to maintain that energy, discipline, and late-game composure that has defined this winning streak, turning belief into qualification and giving their fans a reason to dream big about continental football next season.
