Shelbourne -v- Waterford United
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Shelbourne welcome Waterford United to Tolka Park tomorrow (kick-off 8pm) in a top of the table clash in the First Division. Shels won this fixture one-nil earlier in the season, but since that result The Blues have shot up the table.
Indeed, the Suirsiders had been in scintillating form until their last game in which they lost 2-1 to Wexford Youths. The Dublin outfit sit one point behind Waterford but crucially have a game in hand. They will also draw confidence from the fact that the away side have never beaten Shels in the First Division but records, as they say, are made to be broken. Whichever way you approach it, this game is one of the most intriguing clashes this season.
Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely was reasonably pleased with his side’s performance against Monaghan, “We played well in the first half and up until the two lads in the middle began to tire.” This game will be a different proposition however, and one which the manager is confident about. “They’re a very good, strong side, with good players all over. But so are we. It was a very tough game down there in March that we eventually won with Madden’s goal with ten minutes remaining. I expect it to be a close contest once more,” added Keely.
Although Waterford slipped up in their last league game, they have won since - beating Rockmount 2-1 in the Munster Senior Cup final to lift their first piece of silverware of the season. This will go some way to erasing the memories of the Wexford loss. Speaking after that game Stephen Henderson said, “It is not the fact that we have lost our long unbeaten record that upsets me, it’s the fact that we have lost three points that would have put us clear at the top of the table. We were very poor in the first half, and not much better in the second. Having said that the two goals they scored were poor from our point of view.
"I will not blame my players because they did work hard during the game, but it did not happen for us this evening. We had a big crowd here this evening and unfortunately we didn’t perform. It is done and dusted now, and there is nothing we can do about it. Wexford deserved to win, pure and simple. The players will work hard this week and believe me we will give it a right go against Shels," added Henderson.
Waterford have no injury or suspension worries ahead of this game. Richie Baker is definitely out for Shels though, having pulled a hamstring last time out. David Crawley is a minor doubt with a hip injury, as is former Blues ‘keeper Dean Delaney who took a knock to his shoulder. Alan Keely has returned to training and should make the bench.
Extratime.ie Prediction: I can see goals in this game and with the importance of the result to both teams I’m expecting a highly competitive draw. 2-2.
Indeed, the Suirsiders had been in scintillating form until their last game in which they lost 2-1 to Wexford Youths. The Dublin outfit sit one point behind Waterford but crucially have a game in hand. They will also draw confidence from the fact that the away side have never beaten Shels in the First Division but records, as they say, are made to be broken. Whichever way you approach it, this game is one of the most intriguing clashes this season.
Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely was reasonably pleased with his side’s performance against Monaghan, “We played well in the first half and up until the two lads in the middle began to tire.” This game will be a different proposition however, and one which the manager is confident about. “They’re a very good, strong side, with good players all over. But so are we. It was a very tough game down there in March that we eventually won with Madden’s goal with ten minutes remaining. I expect it to be a close contest once more,” added Keely.
Although Waterford slipped up in their last league game, they have won since - beating Rockmount 2-1 in the Munster Senior Cup final to lift their first piece of silverware of the season. This will go some way to erasing the memories of the Wexford loss. Speaking after that game Stephen Henderson said, “It is not the fact that we have lost our long unbeaten record that upsets me, it’s the fact that we have lost three points that would have put us clear at the top of the table. We were very poor in the first half, and not much better in the second. Having said that the two goals they scored were poor from our point of view.
"I will not blame my players because they did work hard during the game, but it did not happen for us this evening. We had a big crowd here this evening and unfortunately we didn’t perform. It is done and dusted now, and there is nothing we can do about it. Wexford deserved to win, pure and simple. The players will work hard this week and believe me we will give it a right go against Shels," added Henderson.
Waterford have no injury or suspension worries ahead of this game. Richie Baker is definitely out for Shels though, having pulled a hamstring last time out. David Crawley is a minor doubt with a hip injury, as is former Blues ‘keeper Dean Delaney who took a knock to his shoulder. Alan Keely has returned to training and should make the bench.
Extratime.ie Prediction: I can see goals in this game and with the importance of the result to both teams I’m expecting a highly competitive draw. 2-2.
About Dean Hayes
Dean covers Waterford United and, due to a challenge from Gareth, writes in an increasingly Gonzo style. Having found himself with a considerable surplus of a culinary herb, Dean founded sister 'site extrathyme.ie some years … View Full Profile