Speaking after his side’s 2-0 home win over Wexford, Shelbourne’s Man of the Match Dayle Rooney was succinctly matter of fact. “It was hard at the start but we kept going, played well and eventually broke them down and got the goals.” The former She
Speaking after his side’s 2-0 home win over Wexford, Shelbourne’s Man of the Match Dayle Rooney was succinctly matter of fact. “It was hard at the start but we kept going, played well and eventually broke them down and got the goals.”
The former Shels Under 19 star had an eventful night. He claimed a goal and an assist but also conceded a second half penalty. “My head was ‘gone’ a bit after the penalty but I made up for it and got the goal.” The midfielder broke from inside his own half in the 74th minute, linked with Adam Evans. He then arrived into the box right on cue to glide the left winger’s cross over Corey Chambers and into the roof of the Wexford net. That sealed Shels’ second successive victory and the Reds are now unbeaten in four.
Not surprisingly, Rooney felt the spot kick, awarded for his foul on Lee Duffy was soft. “We’ve given away too many and sides may be diving, given the record,“ was the 19- year-old’s assessment. The game was finely balanced at stage with the home side 1-0 ahead. Dean Delany spared Rooney’s blushes by saving Andrew O’Connor’s 12=yard effort, which in truth was straight at him.
Rooney’s pinpoint right wing corner found the head of defender Derek Prendergast to give Shels the lead on 42 minutes. “We worked on that corner all week,” was Rooney’s gleeful evaluation of that breakthrough.
Shelbourne’s season is beginning to pick up after a relatively slow start. “It took us a while to gel,” mused Rooney. “We’re getting to know each other better now. Those draws (home to Longford and Waterford and away against Cobh) are beginning to look better and we’re starting to beat the teams we should be beating.”
Shels now move on with renewed confidence to a Dublin derby against rejuvenated Cabinteely at Stradbrook next Friday.
