Shelbourne cemented their place at the top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division following a 1-0 win over Limerick FC at the Markets Field. Ian Morris’ side have now won their last seven games on the trot with Ciaran Kilduff’s goal stretching
Shelbourne cemented their place at the top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division following a 1-0 win over Limerick FC at the Markets Field. Ian Morris’ side have now won their last seven games on the trot with Ciaran Kilduff’s goal stretching their advantage at the summit to five points. However, the game could have had a different result had Darren Murphy converted a 21st minute penalty for the home side, but his dinked effort sailed over the crossbar. After inflicting the first home defeat of the season to their hosts, Morris was very pleased with both the result, and how Shels went about their business. “It was a tough game. Limerick were unbeaten at home this season so it’s a massive coup for us to come here and take all three points. “I think we were deserving of it. We created a lot of chances. The penalty miss helped, but I think we did enough in the game to justify the win. “For the first 20 to 25 minutes big (Kieran) Hanlon, our centre halves didn’t work out how to play him. He did really well, but after we got to grips with that threat, I thought we were the better team and I thought we could have won by a lot more.” Shels’ exceptional recent run has put them in firm control of the division, but Morris insists that there is plenty of hard work still to do if his side are to return to the top level in 2020. “You see other results around the league and other teams around the top are winning as well so you have to maintain things and keep your own standards high. “You have to make sure that you keep chipping away at every game and keep putting three points on the board. “It’s seven on the bounce now and it’s always good to come back after the break – testament to the boys. We gave them a fitness plan to do and they have all come back in really good shape. “I’m very pleased. At the start of the year we had a couple of little kinks to iron out. We have done that and have nailed down how we want to play and what way we want to move the ball. “It’s pleasing to watch. I think the league is very difficult. If you don’t turn up properly and give maximum effort you get turned over and you have seen that with the results this year.”
