PREVIEW: Kildare County vs Shelbourne

Shelbourne travel to Kildare on the back of an eventful, if not disappointing, draw against Dundalk last Friday. Manager Dermot Keely, who managed Kildare five seasons ago, faces an embarrassment of riches of sorts, as a fully fit squad are available for selection. Striker Anthony Flood has recovered from a few knocks courtesy of the Dundalk defence last Friday and is fit to start again, while Mark O’Brien returns from a suspension hangover from last season.

Shels’ struggled to break down a side that played over half the game at a numerical disadvantage last week and Keely’s men will be under no illusions that goals have to come in order to realise their chance of gaining promotion.

Austin O’Neill (3 weeks), Stephen Cooling (4 Weeks) and Michael Roche (1 Week) remain Kildare’s injured men and speaking to extratime.ie ahead of the match, manager John Ryan spoke of the challenges facing Kildare ahead of this one:

“It’s very difficult after the game last week falling flat on its face. Shels’ played on Friday, and although they didn’t win they have the advantage having played already but. I’m not making any excuses”

Given the confusion with regards last weeks’ postponement in Athlone, it is perhaps fitting that Kildare’s season begins in front of their home fans.

Indeed Ryan mentioned how their training plans have been disrupted this week by the weather but is sure his side were not the only ones affected. Speaking of the playability of the pitch Ryan assured extratime.ie that at the moment there appears to be no problems. Fingers crossed a repeat of last weeks misfortune is not in the offing.

Kildare’s preseason witnessed losses against several premier league sides and this home fixture against the team third favourites for the league offers a real acid test for the season. A side story to Keely returning to Newbridge is the return of Alan Byrne, now a Shels’ player, who will be hoping to get in the line up to play against his former employers.

Shels’ found life difficult away to Kildare last season and have quite a point to prove. The fixtures in Newbridge last season yielded a four-point haul for Kildare and a return of five goals. Keely’s men will be charged with the task of overturning those stats tomorrow in what could easily be very difficult weather.

Kildare represent a difficult challenge for Shels’ considering the results last season and, as reported in the season preview for Shels’, three points in the bag would have provided a healthier lead up to this fixture.