League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Shelbourne

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Unbeaten Shelbourne FC travel the short distance down the east coast to Ferrycarrig Park to take on Wexford Youths this Friday night in the SSE Airtircity League First Divison, kick off 8pm.

As we enter the second series of games, Youths come into this game on the back of a home defeat to Galway FC. Worryingly for manager Shane Keegan, Youths’ two home defeats so far have been against opposition vying for promotion in a very tough first division.

In team news, Youths will be without the injured Daragh Walshe for Friday’s game. Aidan Keenan picked up a knock in last weeks’ defeat to Galway FC and is rated as doubtful to face the league leaders. Both Sean Skelly and Ricky Fox returned to training this week after injury layoffs and will be assessed prior to kick off.

Speaking to their website, Keegan was anticipating a tough game on Friday and he singled out Shels’ Dylan Connelly and manager Johnny Donnell for special praise.

“Shelbourne have a match winner themselves in young Dylan Connelly and he has played a major role in them having a fantastic start that they've had. Credit to Johnny Mc Donnell, he has the team playing a superb style of football and we'll have our work cut out to stay concentrated against such a fluid attacking side”

SHELBOURNE

League leaders Shelbourne are the only undefeated team in the First Division and McDonnell’s troops have now gone three games without conceding a goal.

The Reds come into this game after easily overcoming bottom side Cobh Ramblers 2-0 at Tolka Park. By all accounts the home side could have finished the game with three or four goals but missed chance after chance in the second half.

In team news, John Sullivan has returned to training following his leg injury, but it's unlikely that he'll be named in the starting eleven. Jordan Keegan is also a worry as is Willo McDonagh.

Speaking to their website, McDonnell says that now the first series of games is over, it’s time for his team to kick on.

“It's the start of a new set of games and we'll start afresh again. We now know everyone and everyone knows us. We only play it one way we're not afraid to take it down and pass it. The pitches will be getting better coming into the good weather, so we'll just keep going the way we're going".

Referee: R Matthews

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne and Youths haven’t met in Ferrycarrig Park since May 2011.

Wexford has only won three of the seventeen league fixtures between the sides.

Dylan Connelly has four goals in seven games.

BETTING

Wexford Youths 11/4; Draw 9/4; Shelbourne FC 10/11

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 0-2 Shelbourne

Wexford Youths

Injured: Daragh Walshe

Doubtful: Aidan Keenan

Suspended: None

Shelbourne FC

Injured: None

Doubtful: John Sullivan, Jordan Keegan, Willo McDonagh

Suspended: None