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Two goals from Daryl Murphy sealed the win for Ipswich Town as they took on a largely experimental Shelbourne side at Tolka Park on Saturday afternoon.

Shelbourne’s starting eleven featured just two recognisable first team players and was peppered with U19s and new faces, while Ipswich set out with a vastly more experienced line-up that included Michael Chopra in attack.

Ipswich were soon in control with the majority of the play sweeping towards Ger Hanley’s goal, but the visitors failed to carve out the kind of openings their possession might have merited.

Frank Nouble created the first real chance on 13 minutes when he eased past three challenges before setting up Josh Carson whose well hit effort was excellently turned away by Hanley.

Then, on twenty minutes Carson provided the cross for Chopra who got his shot all wrong and missed the target when well placed.

Ipswich continued to apply pressure throughout the half but never came closer than on those two early occasions, while Shelbourne almost pulled off the perfect mugging just moments before the break when Dylan Connolly spun a free kick towards the top corner only for Scott Loach to palm the ball around his post.

Halt-time saw a host of changes with Shelbourne bringing on four new faces while Ipswich changed their entire eleven. And within seconds of the restart Daryl Murphy had given Ipswich the lead.

Matt Taylor instigated the breakthrough by played a poorly judged ball back to his defender Ryan Robinson. Under some pressure Robinson sought out his keeper but Hanley only played the ball against the inrushing Murphy and into the net.

Soon the Reds were two down, Murphy again providing the finishing touch, this time guiding a Byron Lawrence cross home from eight yards.

But Shels were much more spirited in the second period and young Aaron Ash worried the Ipswich defence with a number of impressive attempts on goal. First he volleyed narrowly wide from 20 yards and soon after he hit a well struck shot low to Dean Gerken’s right, forcing the sub ‘keeper into a sharp save.

Ash continued to pose problems for Ipswich and Ryan Robinson’s header on 58 minutes brought a fine tip-over save from Gerken. But it was Ipswich who still looked the more convincing side and Luke Hyam almost put them three up on 77 minutes when he brought the best out of Shels’ sub keeper Nathan Murphy.

Three minutes from time David October should have sealed the win but Murphy again saved well, this time with his feet after his defence had left him cruelly exposed.

Shelbourne: Ger Hanley (Nathan Murphy 72); Derek Gannon (Shane Hamilton 46), David Tobin (Ryan Robinson 46), Adam O’Connor (Jake Corrigan 72), Jamie McGlynn (Kevin Molloy 72); Derek Doyle (Darren Clark 72), Sean McGarne (Jean Biansumba 82), Aaron Robinson (Aaron Ash 46), Dylan Connolly (Lee Desmond 46); Matt Taylor (Adam Farrell 82); Carl Walsh (Des Byrne 64).

Subs not used: Conor Mooney, Paul Weldon.

Bookings: None.

Ipswich Town (1st Half): Scott Loach; Elliott Hewitt, Luke Chambers, Tyrone Mings, Aaron Cresswell; Mark Timlin, Anthony Wordsworth, Cole Skuse, Josh Carson; Michael Chopra, Frank Nouble.

Ipswich Town (2nd Half): Dean Gerken; Kyle Hammond, Tommy Smith, Dan Seabourne, David October’ David McGoldrick, Amei Berkane, Luke hyam, Byron Lawrence; Daryl Murphy, Jay Tabb.

Bookings: None.

Referee: Tom Connolly.

Attendance: 1,200 (estimate).

Extratime Man of the Match: Aaron Ash (Shelbourne).