League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Cabinteely

SHELBOURNE

A two nil loss against UCD at home last week leaves Shelbourne still waiting to pick up their first win in Tolka Park. Shelbourne have now lost five in a row (Including an EA Sports Cup game) and their last point in the League of Ireland First Division was a 2-2 draw away to Waterford United.

Manager Kevin Doherty knows that The Reds defence is hurting his side. He told Fran Reilly of Extratime.ie, “To see us conceding goals the way we're conceding goals... it's my job to put a finger on it, but when you're making the individual mistakes that we're making, it's very hard [to rectify].”

Shelbourne have eight points from nine games and are only above opponents Cabinteeely FC on goal difference.  Shels have quality within the squad, but if results don't come their way soon they will find themselves in the bottom half of the table for the remainder of the season.

To be fair Shels have had numerous players injured or missing so far this season. First Team members Philly Hughes, Alan Kehoe, Paul Andrews, Dylan McGlade, Dave Ryan, Sean Heaney and Simon Dixon have all missed various games by not being fit.

The Drumcondra based side have scored seven goals so far and Gareth Coughlan is currently the teams leading marksman with two conversions.

Despite beating Cabinteely one nil away in Stradbrook in March, Shels boss Kevin Doherty is expecting a tough battle. He told Fran Reilly of Extratime.ie, “It's is going to be a physical game and a time for people to stand up..... If the players who are going out aren't doing it then I might be picking the wrong players.”

A win for Shelbourne will be a boost for the Tolka Park faithful, and perhaps large travelling support from Cabo fans will see a big attendance and great atmosphere.

Kick off at Tolka Park is 8pm.

CABINTEELY

Cabinteely FC scored a 95th minute equaliser at home to league leaders Finn Harps at Stradbrook last Friday. The goal was scored by John McKeown and after a seven nil loss to Wexford Youths the previous week his third goal of the season was a welcome one for Cabo.

The goal created a storm on social media, as a lot of punters had backed against Cabo getting a share of the points. Even John McKeown wrote on twitter: "Apologies to all the people who's bets I let down, shouldn't have backed against us in the first place"

The Cabinteely PR team seized the opportunity with the club deciding to offer free entry to their next home game against Cobh Ramblers to anyone who had a losing betting slip. This unique gesture made news across the UK with Cabo appearing in the Daily Mirror and The Metro publications.

Now it's back to business on the pitch. Cabo have had poor form on the road so far this season. After four away games they have only picked up one point against Athlone Town, a match that Cabo conceded an injury time penalty with the game ending in a 2-2 draw at Lissywollen.

Manager Eddie Gormley may stick to the 4-4-2 formation that earned them a point last week. The back line of Jamie McGlynn, Victor Ekanem, Robert Maloney, Evan Finnegan all had a good display. The Cabo midfielders are where the teams goals are coming from with John McKeown (3), Conor Foley (1) having 80% of the sides goals between them.

Cabinteely need to pick up points from the teams in a similar position to them. The game against Shelbourne will be the new boys chance to prove the clubs PR motto during the week 'Dont write Cabo off!'

Referee David Keeler

MATCH STATS

This will be the first ever meeting of Shelbourne v Cabinteely FC at Tolka Park.

Shelbourne beat Cabinteely FC one nil at Stradbrook in March when Philip Hughes scored from the penalty spot.

Cabinteely FC defender Jamie McGlynn played for Shelbourne during the 2013 season while Cabo midfielder Gavin Fahy has played for Shelbourne underage teams.

The last time Shelbourne scored at home in Tolka Park (Apr 10th 2015) the game was halted for over thirty five minutes due to floodlight failure.

BETTING

Shelbourne 4/9; Draw 11/4; Cabinteely 6/1.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2-2 Cabinteely

Shelbourne

Injured: Simon Dixon.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cabinteely FC

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.