Business as usual for Shels - February 12,
2001
Longford Town 0 Shelbourne 1
It was one of those nights for Shelbourne - another early strike and another tenacious grapple as the champions slipped into their 'what-we-have-we-hold' mode.
The goal - after ten minutes - was a worthy winner. Dessie Baker picked up the ball thirty yards out and dragged it wide of Eric Smith before hitting a peach into the top corner.
Ex-Anfield starlet Niall Byrne shaved an upright, Shay Zeller hit a post and Eric Smith blazed just over as Longford had their chances.
But Shels, as ever, were dangerous on the break and Richie Foran should have done better either side of the interval.
It took a superb Stephen O'Brien save five minutes from the end to prevent Stephen Grant opening his Shelbourne account.
Longford Town: O'Brien, Murphy, W Byrne, V Perth, Smith, McNally, Zeller, S Byrne, N Byrne, Prunty, Gavin
Subs: Farrell for N Byrne 75, Holt for Perth 75 Kelly for Smith 82
Shelbourne: Williams, Heary, D Geoghegan, McCarthy, Scully, D Baker, Fenlon, Doolin, R Baker, Keddy, Foran
Subs: Grant for Foran 59, Byrne for Doolin 74, John for R Baker 86
Goal: D Baker 10
Bookings: D Geoghegan, Scully
Referee: J Stacey (Athlone)