FAI Cup Preview: Dundalk FC -v- Shelbourne

Dundalk will begin their defence of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup when they host Shelbourne in the second round at Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites come into this match on the back of seven league wins on the bounce – their longest league winning sequence since the 1978/79 season. And that 7-0 demolition of Finn Harps last week was also the club’s biggest away win in the league since 1987.

So with confidence at an all-time high, manager Stephen Kenny is hoping to bring his sides current form into this cup tie and he will also be aware of the fact that Dundalk has never in its history retained the FAI Cup.

“Last year’s FAI Cup win was very special. It was a great occasion and now we start again. We are in good form ourselves and have performed well in the competition. We have had three good wins in the last week and we want to build on that and reach the next round of the Cup.” he told the club’s official website.

Dane Massey is doubtful after picking up a knock last Friday while Ciaran Kilduff, Patrick McEleney and Ciaran O’Connor are definite absentees. Captain Stephen O’Donnell is set to return to the matchday squad however after spending four weeks on the sidelines.

SHELBOURNE

Facing the unenviable task against the double winners are Shelbourne, who currently sit third in the First Division, though Kevin Doherty’s men will feel aggrieved to have gone down 1-0 at Drogheda United in the league last weekend.

This is the second year in a row that Shelbourne have drawn Dundalk away in the second round of the FAI Cup and they will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that 5-0 thrashing last season. The Reds have also met Dundalk once this season, but suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Leinster Senior Cup at Tolka Park back in February.

Former Republic of Ireland international forward Stephen Elliott will not feature due to injury while Gareth Coughlan is also unavailable to face his former club. The good news for Shelbourne is that promising young midfielder Cian Kavanagh is expected to pass fit.

Referee: Robert Rogers

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have not lost at the second round stage of the FAI Cup since 2010. In fact, The Lilywhites have progressed to the third round in ten out the last 11 seasons.

The Lilywhites are on an eight match winning streak against Shelbourne and can make it nine on Friday for the first time since 1978-81.

Victory for Dundalk would see them beat Shelbourne for the fourth successive time in the FAI Cup for the first time ever. The Reds haven’t beaten Dundalk in this competition since 1998.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/14; Draw 15/2; Shelbourne 33/1

PREDICTION

Dundalk 3-0 Shelbourne

Dundalk

Injured: Ciaran Kilduff (back), Patrick McEleney (hamstring), Ciaran O’Connor (metatarsal).

Doubtful: Dane Massey.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: Gareth Coughlan, Stephen Elliott.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.