Leinster Senior Cup Final Preview: Shelbourne -v- St Patrick's Athletic

• Brendan Graham
• Fri, Sep 28 2018




SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne will come into this game with close to a full squad and also plenty of confidence. They are the current holders of this Cup and also last Friday secured their passage to this year’s play-offs where they will play Drogheda United over two legs in the first round of the play-offs.

With that all important play off to come, Owen Heary is not likely to buck the trend of how he has approached this cup so far this season and is expected to allow his younger players and fringe players the chance to stake a strong claim for a place in the team next week at United Park.

These sides have met in the Leinster Senior Cup on two previous occasions. The most recent being at the semi-final stage last season with Shelbourne recording a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to an Adan Evans goal. The other occasion was the semi-final in 2013 with St. Pats taking the spoils on a 2-1 score line.

Dave Mulcahy remains out injured for Shelbourne but apart from that Owen Heary has a full squad to choose from.

 

ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

It has been an eventful week for the Inchicore club with the departure of Liam Buckley after seven years as manager of the club.

Ger O’Brien will now step in as caretaker manager until the end of the season and will hope to get his short reign off to the perfect start by securing some silverware tonight at Tolka Park.

The Saints have had a good run to the final seeing off Bray Wanderers, Wexford and Dundalk after extra time with one more hurdle to overcome tonight at Tolka Park.

In more positive news for the club, midfielder Darragh Markey and Lee Desmond have both this week signed new deals which will keep them at the club for a further two years.

The only absentee for Ger O’Brien this evening is Christy Fagan who remains side-lined.

"It has been a tough week for the club so we are hoping to try and get through this game with a win," Ger O'Brien told the club website as he steps in as caretaker manager
"We are going to have a few of our under 19 squad involved in the match day squad. The main focus is on getting a win on Friday night. It is a cup final and you ask any player and they will tell you they want to win silverware when the opportunity arises.

Referee: David Dunne

 

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne are the current holders of this cup and will be looking to make it two in a row this evening in Tolka Park.

Shane Farrell is top scorer for Shelbourne so far in this competition with a goal in the first round against Athlone Town and also in the second round against Longford Town.

Kevin Toner is top of the scoring charts for St. Pats on the road to the final with two as well. His first came in the opening round against Bray Wanderers with his second coming in extra-time against Dundalk in the semi-final.

 

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2-1 St. Patricks Athletic

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Dave Mulcahy

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

 

St. Pats

Injured: Christy Fagan

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None