Shelbourne -v- St. Patrick's Athletic
Credit:
SHELBOURNE
Shels start life after Alan Mathews when they entertain St. Patrick's Athletics at Tolka Park on Friday evening. Mathews resigned on Thursday afternoon after a disappointing season which saw his side pick up six points from a possible 39. Kevin Doherty will take interim charge of the first team and his first test will be a difficult one at home to an impressive Pats side who are currently second in the table.
The Dundalk game saw the Reds again finish with ten men when Brian Shortall was sent for an early shower for his challenge on Tiarnan Mulvenna.
The sides first league meeting was postponed due to adverse weather conditions, with the Saints running out comfortable 4-0 winners in the rescheduled fixture last month. The sides met three times last season, with Shelbourne picking up a solitary point out of a possible nine.
If Shels, who lie 21 points behind Friday nights visitors, are to get a result they will need to improve their goalscoring, So far this season they have scored six league goals in thirteen games, an average of less than one goal every two games.
Shortall and Robert Bayly miss out through suspension, while manager Alan Mathews will be without the injured Glenn Cronin, Adam Hanlon and Niall Burdon. Paul Crowley, Dean Kelly, Sean Brennan, Mark Leech and Robert Cornwall are all doubts due to injury, decisions on their fitness will be taken closer to kick off time.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC
St. Pats will be looking to go level with table toppers Sligo Rovers with a win against Shelbourne on Friday evening. It’s the second game in four days for the Inchicore side, who drew 0-0 with Shamrock Rovers in Richmond Park on Tuesday night.
The Saints have won five consecutive away games, owing much of that success to a strong defensive platform which has seen them keep eight clean sheets in 13 games. Both goalkeepers Brendan Clarke and Dave Ryan have played their part in the run and Clarke believes it is not letting his companion down which is a driving factor.
“We’re digging each other out of holes and playing for each other really well at the minute.”
Clarke knows that clean sheets and consistency are vital to ensure the Saints continue challenging Sligo and Derry at the summit of the league.
“From our end of things, if we don’t concede goals, we’ve always got a chance of winning the game. If can chip in with a couple of goals, then we’ll win more than we lose. That’s what we’re aiming to do, and hopefully we can do that against Shels.”
Manager Liam Buckley is well aware that Shelbourne are a wounded animal and that they will be giving nothing away easily.
“Tolka Park is a ground that our fans love going to as Pats and Shels has always been a great rivalry. The games between the sides last year were always very tight so I don’t expect to be very different come kick-off time on Friday.”
The only doubt for the visiting side is Anto Flood who had been sick during the week.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
MATCH STATS
Shels only league win this campaign was a 2-0 win at home to UCD two weeks ago.
St. Pats have scored 11 more goals then their hosts this season.
Midfielders Conan Byrne and Chris Forrester are top scorers for St. Pats this season, both have four goals.
BETTING
Shelbourne 11/2; Draw 13/5; St. Pats 8/15.
PREDICTION
Shels 1-1 St.Pats: The honeymoon period begins with a hard earned point.
Shelbourne
Injured: Glenn Cronin (ankle), Adam Hanlon (calf), Niall Burdon (hamstring).
Doubtful: Paul Crowley (hamstring), Robert Cornwall (foot), Sean Brennan (ankle), Dean Kelly (groin), Mark Leech (groin).
Suspended: Brian Shortall, Robert Bayly.
St Patrick's Athletic
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Anto Flood (sick).
Suspended: None.
