Brendan man of the match v Institute

The right-sided player was signed from Donegal Celtic in January and has excelled for the Reserves before deservedly making the step up to the first team in recent weeks.

He looked solid in defence and coped with Institute’s attacks well whilst also looking keen to support his team in attack, overlapping on the right flank and even bursting into the box on occasion. He certainly looks a bright talent for the future and should get more chances to showcase his talents in the first team in the coming games.

Other stand out players were the lively Trevor Molloy, stout defender Mark Haughey who looked a more accomplished player in his preferred centre-back spot and substitute, Stuart King who helped to change the game and set up both goals.

Club boss Marty Quinn was delighted with the performance of league debutant Shannon and hopes to see more of the same from the full-back in the coming weeks.

“I thought Brendan did very well at right back and linked in well with the play,” he said.

“I thought he was excellent. I don’t see why he couldn’t get a run in the team now. He’s a good, tenacious lad. He can tackle, he can play and he’s a good well-mannered young man. He’s a good find.

“Mark Haughey looked more like himself at centre-back and we’ll keep him in there for a match or two now. Once Hugh Davey is back that would be a strong, young defence and the goalkeeper’s only 20 as well.”

Reserve boss Gerard McMahon was unsurprised on hearing of Shannon’s starring role in Saturday’s victory and even compared him to legendary Irish League full-back Mark Glendinning.

“You may get used to it, you’ll be picking him for man of the match a few more times,” he told the ‘MAIL.’

“He gets forward an awful lot and if he has the right person playing in front of him the he’s laughing. He reminds me very much of Mark Glendinning so I can pay him no higher compliment.”