Brett Pitman’s 28th minute screamer has given Town a 1-0 half-time lead against Dublin side Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

Boss Mick McCarthy named a different XI for each half, both a mix of first-team and fringe players.

The Blues dominated the game from the off but without creating an early opportunity. On nine Teddy Bishop made a mazy run across the area but was unable to get a shot in on goal.

Two minutes later, Bishop played a clever one-two with Irish U18 international Shane McLoughlin inside the area and stabbed goalwards but the ball caught a defender and deflected wide.

From the resultant corner, the ball was cleared to the edge of the box from where Bishop headed back just past Shelbourne keeper Greg Murray’s right post.

On 21 Kevin Bru sent a high ball into the area from deep which Pitman nodded over the keeper but wide.

Town continued to have the upper hand and in the 28th minute they went in front. Bishop fed Pitman 25 yards out just to the right and last season’s 11-goal top scorer smashed a superb strike beyond keeper Murray’s right hand and into the net.

Three minutes later the former AFC Bournemouth man turned a low Bishop freekick in from the right over the bar from the edge of the box.

There were no further chances before the end of a half which the Blues had unsurprisingly dominated. Town had created one or two chances in addition to Pitman’s excellent strike with Bishop creating most of the danger.

The Blues will switch their entire XI for the second half but with David McGoldrick not involved, presumably having suffered a knock during training at Carton House during the week.

First-half team: Gerken, Chambers, Robinson, Digby, Berra, Bishop, Skuse, Bru, McDonnell, Pitman, McLoughlin.

Second-half team: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Malarczyk, T Smith, Knudsen, Dozzell, Hyam, Douglas, Stewart, Sears, Morris. Subs: Paterson, Blanchfield.

Photo: Action Images

Len_Brennan added 16:15 - Jul 9 McGoldrick? Are we just guessing he's had a knock?
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prebbs007 added 16:24 - Jul 9 No Didzy ??? Oh dear oh dear. Here we go again !!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:25 - Jul 9 Yes. Footall is on!
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Fatcatevans added 16:46 - Jul 9 McGoldrick got injured in first week of training. Is out for 6 weeks
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JimmyJazz added 16:49 - Jul 9 Thought Polish Pete had left?
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cats_whiskers added 17:09 - Jul 9 Oh Begorrah Most probably McGoldrick had over stretched and injured himself avoiding an imaginary Leprechaun
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clint_eastwood added 17:13 - Jul 9 So did I! I thought Malarczyk left, didnt he?
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Seasider added 17:46 - Jul 9 Clint; he was on loan to Southend until end of season,and MM said he wanted to get rid(what a way to boost an ego eh!).Think he went onto say that there had been some interest from the continent,but this presumably hasn't materialized so far. Glad Stewart has been brought on for second half as don't think him or Piotr has really been given much of a chance in first team,like so many more during Micks reign!

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