O’Sullivan hat-trick secures win for Shelbourne over Town
YOU really couldn’t write the script. After five stunning years at Longford Town, Davy O’Sullivan faced De Town for the first time on Friday and completed an injury time hattrick to win it for Shelbourne.
The striker was the Midlanders’ top scorer for each of his five seasons at the City Calling Stadium and is the club’s all-time top goalscorer. Shels, with a loss and draw prior to Friday’s showdown at Tolka Park, snapped up the Wicklow Town man when Town released the goal machine.
O’Sullivan opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 13th minute but Sam Verdon equalised instantly for the visitors.
With 72 minutes on the clock, the 30-year old nudged Owen Heary’s side back in front but Verdon found a second leveller with just three minutes of normal time remaining.
This blockbuster had one final twist though. Verdon went from hero to villain as he gave away a 93rd minute penalty which earned him a second yellow. O’Sullivan stepped up and landed his side their first victory of the season to understandably chaotic scenes from the home faithful.
It was a bittersweet moment for O’Sullivan. Whilst delighted to have endeared himself to his new fans, he was very aware of the impact it had on his former worshippers and his passion - understandably - poured out as he netted the winner.
“It was a big three points for us and its always great to score a hattrick, on the other hand it was odd lining out and scoring against my old club and team-mates.
“A few nerves for the winner as I was aware it was the 93rd minute and there was a lot of time between when the penalty was given and when I actually got to hit it. I picked my spot and stuck with it, thankfully it went in and gave us the victory. I have a great deal of respect for the club I played for over the past five years, I always will and I managed to contain myself after the first two goals. With the third one being a last minute winner in what was a highly entertaining game, it was a bit harder to hide the emotions that come out when you hit the back of the net. At the end of the day I’m a striker, I’ve been brought in to score goals for Shels, no matter who the opposition are.”
Without O’Sullivan’s late heroics, it would have been three games without a win for the Dubliners but the ex-Wicklow Rovers and Arklow Town ace knows that it will be a season of unpredictability.
“Yeah its been a tough start for us. UCD were very impressive and will be up there come the end of the season. The draw away to Finn Harps last week was a good one, not many teams will get results up there. Getting the win then on Friday was important. All in all, its’ been a good start in what is going to be a very competitive league.
“It’s early days yet and very hard to call. Nobody is going to run away with it this year and with the play-offs back, there are sure to be a lot of twists and turns. No game is going to be easy and you can’t take anybody for granted.”
Having already netted prior to Friday, his tally for the season now stands at four - two behind Galway’s Danny Furlong. O’Sullivan is no stranger to a goalscorer award but he knows he’ll have stiff competition this term.
“Danny’s a smashing player who gets goals everywhere he goes. He’s hit the ground running at Galway. The main thing for us is to gain promotion but as a personal target it’s always nice to be in the running for the golden boot come the end of the season.’