League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Cabinteely

Shelbourne will take on the challenge of Cabinteely in a potentially explosive Dublin derby in the SSE Airtricity First Division at Tolka Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

SHELBOURNE

Shels will look to continue their winning start to the season by taking the scalp of local rivals Cabo and satisfy the Drumcondra faithful’s thirst for promotion back to the promised land of the top flight.

Shelbourne managed to secure all three points over Galway United last Friday evening in a rip roaring encounter at Eamonn Deacy Park. Shels found themselves 2-0 down after just 15 minutes thanks for goals from Colin Kelly and Vinny Faherty and looked to be heading for defeat until a miraculous comeback in the final 16 minutes saw them battle back to lead 3-2 with goals from Karl Moore and a brace from new striker Ciaran Kilduff with the veteran goal getter notching the winner six minutes from the end.

Shels new boss Ian Morris was understandably pleased with his side’s comeback and spirited performance telling shelbournefc.ie, “We saw that on Friday, where you could see the connection between the fans and players already. To go down 2-0 early on, we showed the resilience, character and the never say die attitude which we’re trying to instill in the team.”

Morris is calling on the Shels fans to be the twelfth man to boost his side’s chances of success this season.

“We really want to encourage every fan to try bring a family member or friend to Tolka the give us that extra boost. We’re looking to create a fantastic atmosphere and make Tolka Park an intimidating place to visit.

“It’ll be tough, and they were unlucky in the loss to Bray so they’ll have their tails up,”

Morris will have practically a fully fit squad from which to select from but there are some doubts over the fitness of Alex O’Hanlon and Greg Moorehouse and they will continue to be without the services of striker James English who is still suspended.

CABINTEELY

Cabo will be hoping to upset the odds and get their first win of the campaign by taking all three points back across the River Liffey.

Cabinteely went down 3-0 to promotion favourites Bray Wanderers at Stradbrook Park last Friday night. Although the scoreline suggests they were outclassed Cabo made life difficult from the visitors and produced a gallant performance in the first half to go in level at 0-0 at the break.

However, the home side’s resistance was broken with by two goals in a six minute salvo from Dylan McGlade and Dean O’Halloran early in the second half before McGlade put the gloss on things to complete his double in injury team.

Cabo boss Graham O’Hanlon was quite upbeat about his side’s display despite the margin of defeat and focused on the positives telling cabinteelyfc.ie, “Last week was our first game together as a squad, with a few new faces. We did very well for the majority of the game against Bray. We were disappointed with the overall result, but we took a lot of encouragement out of the performance.”

O’Hanlon is expecting tough opposition from the Drumcondra side but is hopeful that his side can build on the positives from last week to get something from the game.

 “We’re going to a very good Shels side on Friday. They have a lot of good, high quality players. But they are new team as well. So, obviously we’re hoping to exploit some of that. And build on the Bray positives from our point of view. And get a positive result.”

Cabinteely will have a fully fit squad available for selection with no injuries or suspensions for this week.

Referee: David Dunne

MATCH FACTS

Last season Shelbourne and Cabinteely met each other three times in the SSE Airtricity First Division with Cabinteely winning the first game 2-0 at Stradbrook Park with the other two meetings ending in a 0-0 draw at Tolka Park and the final game 1-1 at Stradbrook Park.

In their previous 16 previous clashes in all competitions since 2016 Shelbourne have won 9 times, Cabinteely have won 3 times and there have been 4 draws.

Shelbourne have scored 23 goals averaging 1.44 per game and Cabinteely have scored 12 goals averaging 0.75 per game.

Shelbourne are in 4^th place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 3 points with 1 win from their 1 league match. Cabinteely are in 9^th place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on zero points with 1 loss from their 1 league match.

BETTING

Shelbourne 3/10 Draw 7/2 Cabinteely 13/2.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2-0 Cabinteely.

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Alex O’Hanlon, Greg Moorehouse.

Suspended: James English.

Cabinteely

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.