Shelbourne – Dundalk

Shelbourne edged a tight league duel at home, beating Dundalk 2‑1 to move within five points of the fourth‑placed side. The win lifted the Shelbourne side to sixth place on 36 points, having recorded eight victories, twelve draws and nine defeats while scoring 37 and conceding 40. Dundalk, now fourth with 41 points from ten wins, eleven draws and nine losses, saw their goal difference slip to a slender +1 after the 47‑46 tally. The result also tipped the head‑to‑head balance in Shelbourne’s favour this season, as they now hold two of the three meetings between the clubs. Both teams will be keen to build on the outcome as the race for European spots tightens.