DAMIEN DUFF has praised referee Rob Hennessy for awarding a goal against his Shelbourne side.
Shels had taken the lead against Galway United through Evan Caffrey on Monday night until they came unstuck at a corner.
John Martin directed Regan Donelon’s corner into his own net but confusion reigned as it appeared the goal had been given, disallowed before – after consulting with assistant Darren Corcoran for a second time – it stood.
And, although a yellow card was shown to both dugouts in the aftermath, Duff admitted that the right call had been made with no infringement at the set-piece.
Duff grinned: “Well I was obviously hoping it wouldn’t be given but I think they made the right decision, it was an O.G. and there was no contact.
“Listen, it’s a good decision from Rob, we’re hard enough on referees 365 days a year, he got that one right, fair play.”
After opening the season with two wins, Shels have drawn their last two games – against Shamrock Rovers and Galway – in which they were the better side.
And, although happy overall with his side’s display, he bemoaned his side’s inability to weather the storm after they got their noses in front.
Duff said: “We dominated the ball, we created some good opportunities.
“But we want to win games also. That’s why there’s some slight disappointment that we’ve let two points get away.
“This is the hardest away ground in the country to go to without doubt. I’m very pleased with our form and performance.
“But it’s possibly one that got away. It’s certainly the best we’ve played down here. It was near on the perfect game for 80 minutes.
“We scored a goal and it was as if we were surprised by their energy and what they brought after that – corners, long throws – we didn’t deal with it, didn’t take the ball out of pressure.
“They built up a head of steam, that’s what they do and they’re very good at it.
“They get the equaliser and we settled back down, had a couple of chances to get the equaliser.
“I’m very proud of them, very, very good but for 80 minutes.
“That five or 10 minutes, we didn’t deal with wave after wave of attack but we’ll take the point and move on.”
