League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Cobh Ramblers

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne go into this game on the back of a morale boosting 3-0 drubbing of rivals Bohemians in the Leinster Senior Cup at Dalymount Park last Monday evening thanks to a goal from Dayle Rooney and a brace from in-form striker James English.

Shels' form this season in the SSE Airtricity First Division has been inconsistent with 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats in their 9 league matches to date.

Shelbourne were left fuming last Friday night at home to UCD in a game they dominated from start to finish but came unstuck when Ben Hanrahan struck for the Students with six minutes remaining.

Shels manager Owen Heary expressed his disappointment with the result but could not fault his player’s efforts.

He told Shels' official website: “Performance-wise I thought we were spot on tonight. We worked hard during the week – shape, organisation, passing the ball, we did everything to a ‘t’.

“We had 14 very good chances during the game, we didn’t take any, UCD had two chances from 20 yards and one of them ends up in the top corner.

“I think we played exceptionally well, apart from losing the game, which is disappointing. “

Heary feels this is a crucial game for his side to win even at this stage of the season.

“I know it’s early in the season, but as I said, we don’t want the likes of, say, Waterford getting away from us because they have money that they can inject into their team. “

Shels boss Owen Heary has a few injury concerns for the match against Cobh with Chris Lyons joining Dylan Kavanagh on the treatment table after sustaining a knock in the win over Bohemians on Monday but has no suspensions to be concerned with.

COBH RAMBLERS

In-form Cobh Ramblers will make the long trip to the capital with an opportunity to put further pressure on SSE Airtricity First Division leaders Waterford by taking all three points back with them to the Rebel County.

Cobh registered an impressive 2-0 win over Longford Town at St. Colman’s Park last Friday night which put them just one point off the top of the table thanks to second-half goals from Kyle McNamara and Charlie Fleming. Ramblers have had a great start to their league season with 5 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in their 9 league matches so far.

Cobh Ramblers boss Stephen Henderson is understandably pleased with his side’s efforts so far this season but is keeping his feet on the ground.

“To be a point off top at this stage of the season is absolutely fantastic from my lads,” he told the club's website.

“But we won’t get carried away. There’s a lot of hard work to do. But you can see the confidence building. And if the squad believe it, we could be on another fairy tale run this season.

“It’s never easy up there, no. The pitch up there is lovely, though. And we play well on good pitches. We’re well able to pass the ball around.

“We’ll go up there and we’ll test ourselves, and if we pass the ball and play well anything can happen. I’m looking forward to it.”

Cobh boss Henderson has a couple of notable absentees for the visit to North Dublin with Ryan Hogan still out through injury and Ben O’Riordan is a doubt with concussion while hot prospect James McSweeney is away on international duty for the Ireland under-18s.

Referee: John McLoughlin

MATCH FACTS

Shelbourne and Cobh Ramblers met each other earlier this season and played out a 1-1 draw at St. Colman’s Park last month with Adam Evans grabbing a late equaliser for Shels.

Shels and Cobh played each other 4 times last season with Cobh winning on two occasions (1-0 at home and 1-0 away), Shelbourne winning 2-0 at Tolka Park and a 0-0 draw at St. Colman’s Park.

Shels and Cobh have played each other 20 times since 1994 and the sides have been inseparable with 5 wins each and 10 draws. Shelbourne scored 25 goals averaging 1.25 goals per game while Cobh Ramblers scored 19 goals averaging just under a goal per game.

BETTING

Shelbourne 11/10; Draw 12/5; Cobh Ramblers 5/2.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2-1 Cobh Ramblers

Shelbourne

Injured: Dylan Kavanagh, Chris Lyons.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Ryan Hogan.

Doubtful: Ben O’Riordan.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: James McSweeney (international duty).