Shelbourne 1-2 Cork City October 29th 2011

The 1st division title decider. Having seen Shelbourne secure promotion on Tuesday night my home team Cork City were playing in Dublin for the first time since I moved up. It was a game I had been waiting for since I made the move to Dublin. Cork only needed a draw to go up but a win would see them crowned 1st division champions.
The game started at a lightning pace and City were ahead after just four minutes as on-loan winger Daryl Horgan sent the 1500 + travelling fans into celebration. The game though did swing in the host's favour with City keeper Mark McNulty needed to stop David Cassidy and the dangerous Philip Hughes. An error from Gavin Kavanagh saw Hughes play Cassidy in on goal who slotted cooly past MCNulty to draw Shelbourne level.
McNulty kept Shelbourne out on a number of ocasions including a one on one with Hughes as Shelbourne looked to take the title. The 2nd half continued on with City coming close on ocasions with Cummins and Derek O'Brien looking dangerous. Vinny Sullivan, on for Davin O'Niell at half-time spurnned a good chance when he powered his shot over form a good position. However the clock was ticking down with Shelbourne starting a hold onto the point needed to secure the title.
Four minutes were added on as both sets of fans got nervous. The clock was ticking down with seconds remaining until we got a goal. The goal came from the forehead of Graham Cummins, City's top scorer for 2010 and 2011. That goal sent the away section rocking with delight. The despair for the hosts as the ghost of the last minute goals flew over Tolka Park yet again.
The final whistle blew with a pitch invasion as City had won the title in Tolka Park for the first trophy since the club became fan owned.

Shelbourne 4-0 Finn Harps October 25th 2011

Shelbourne's 2nd last game of the season was pushed to this date due to their reprive to the FAI cup and victory in the semi-final stage over St Patrick's Athletic. Finn Harps came into this game with nothing to play for having had a below par season of mid table security. Shelbourne knew a win would see them end their five year association with Ireland's 2nd tier.
It was Shelbourne who came storming out of the blocks with their superior quality showing against a poor Finn Harps side. It took just five minutes for Shels to open the socring when Ian Ryan headed home a corner.
Big striker Philip Hughes made it 2-0 just before half-time as Shels took firm control. Shels made it 3-0 mid-way through the 2nd half when David Cassidy netted while Conan Byrne wrapped up the scoring with a 4th just after coming on as a substitute.
As the final whistle sounded the Shels fans invaded the pitch obviously extremely happy that they were finally heading for the premier division after the near misses of recent years.