Shelbourne take over top spot

NOW things are really hotting up. Brian Flood doesn't score many goals, but he has a habit of producing; important ones and the Shelbourne midfielder could not have picked a better time or place to produce the goods than last night's Premier Division derby with Bohemians at Tolka Park.

For almost 82 minutes of this frenzied encounter, which contained the sort of passion normally reserved for a Cup tie, the happiest and calmest man in this restructured stadium on the banks of the Tolka River, was St Patrick's Athletic manager Brian Kerr.

But eight minutes is a long time in football, as any FAI official will probably concur. And Flood, who had epitomised the fire in Shelbourne's belly with a night of industry, produced a stunning 25 yard shot in the 83rd minute to grab Shelbourne's sole goal. It was: enough to end St Patrick's two month tenure at the top of the table.

Shelbourne may only have goal difference on their side in the battle for supremacy with St Patrick's Athletic, but this latest win was a huge psychological boost for them. It was their seventh straight League and Cup win, enough to suggest the adrenalin is flowing that thoughts of defeat have been confined to autumnal days.

Ironically, Flood's goal against Rovers in the FAI Cup first round replay kick started their good run of recent weeks while last night's first half performance hinted at some staleness creeping in, the Shelbourne display after the break was quite masterful.

Indeed, Shelbourne should have two goals ahead before Flood finally put the home fans out of their misery. Gary Howlett and Tony Sheridan had created two gilt edged chances shortly after the restart for Shelbourne, which in normal circumstances would have resulted in goals. But last night's atmosphere and the necessity for victory ensured that normal circumstances did not apply on this occasion.

In the 59th minute Howlett and Sheridan combined to set up Stephen Geoghegan, but the striker, who seemed set to open the scoring, missed a sitter. The Shelbourne fans had to shake their heads in amazement; and even Geoghegan put his hands to his head in disbelief.

Just 60 seconds later Howlett and Sheridan were again the co conspirators as they unravelled the Bohemians defence. This time John O'Rourke was the man set up by Sheridan and his shot, on this occasion, did beat Dave Henderson, but somehow spun and stuck in the mud which allowed Donal Broughan to clear off the line.

Justice was finally seen to be done when Flood finally scored the winner in the 83rd minute. The ginger haired midfielder appeared to have lost control of the ball as he jinked by Tony O'Connor, but regained control to crash home with the outside of his right foot.

It was a measure of Bohemians inability to trouble the Shelbourne defence that the closest they came to scoring was actually an appeal for a penalty in the 50th minute when Flood appeared to foul Padraig Dully in the penalty area. It was their third appeal of the match and the third occasion that referee John McDermott shook his head and waved play on.