Shelbourne wrapped-up their fourth victory over Athlone Town in the league this season, courtesy of strikes by Dayle Rooney, Sean Byrne, Dylan Grimes and Derek Prendergast, in a 4-1 romp at Tolka Park. A long ball out of defence by Alan Byrne in the
Shelbourne wrapped-up their fourth victory over Athlone Town in the league this season, courtesy of strikes by Dayle Rooney, Sean Byrne, Dylan Grimes and Derek Prendergast, in a 4-1 romp at Tolka Park.
A long ball out of defence by Alan Byrne in the seventh minute was misjudged by the Athlone back four leaving Dayle Rooney in the clear. Rooney cut in from the right and fired home low past Connor Gleeson.
Elanda Nkololo might have levelled matters just three minutes later. The winger outpaced Sean Byrne and the Shels full back upended Nkololo in the penalty area. Nkololo took the spot kick himself but Dean Delany dived to his right to save.
Athlone conceded another soft goal with half time approaching. Sean Byrne overlapped down the left and was released by a well-timed Dayle Rooney pass. The left back probably intended a cross but the ball ended up in the net past Gleeson.
The game was well and truly up on 47 minutes. Connor Gleeson made a hash of a back pass, leaving substitute Dylan Grimes with an open goal, which he couldn’t miss.
Claudio Silva gave Athlone some respite with a breakaway goal just after the hour mark, firing in the rebound when Delany parried his initial shot. But Derek Prendergast restored Shelbourne’s three goal cushion, turning in James O’Brien’s overhead kick following Rooney’s corner.
