SOCCER: Finn Harps and Shelbourne are all level at the break in an incident packed first-half at Tolka Park.
League leaders Finn Harps are keen to get back to winning ways after consecutive defeats against Athlone Town and Wexford Youths respectively.
They got off to the perfect start this evening when Damien McNulty, back from suspension, fired Harps ahead with a powerful header from a corner.
Harps were then given another boost when Shelbourne striker Mark Sandford was given a straight red card.
A long ball punting forward by the Shelbourne defence was gathered by Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher.
Sandford challenged for the ball and bundled into Gallagher in what looked like an honest challenge.
However, the referee deemed it a dangerous tackle and gave him a straight red card to the shock of the Tolka Park crowd.
Both sides battled in a frenetic first-half and several yellow cards were flashed.
TEN man Shels were given a huge boost just before half-time when the referee awarded them with a penalty.
Referee Andrew Mullally adjudged Keith Cowan to have dragged back Adam O'Connor.
Veteran striker Philip Hughes made no mistake from the spot and levelled the match.