Preview: Sporting Fingal vs Shelbourne

Sporting Fingal entertain Shelbourne on Friday night in a repeat of the League Cup tie played at the same venue last month, which saw Shelbourne run out eventual victors in a penalty shoot-out, after the game had finished 2-2.

Sporting Fingal have been strong at home all season in the league, and are unbeaten at Morton Stadium going into this local derby. Shels’, however, are somewhat struggling away from home with seven of their nine points dropped this season all being on the road.

Sporting Fingal are without the injured trio of Paul Malone (calf), Chris Deans (back) and Stephen Caffrey (calf). Striker Robbie Doyle returns from suspension, and manager Liam Buckley is delighted that Philip Byrne is available after a three-week absence due to a back injury and Jim Crawford has also recovered from a recent knock.

Sporting striker Daniel Corcoran got off the mark last week in the victory at Station Road, and is keen to compete for a place in the team: "It was fantastic to score my first goal against Kildare and now we turn our focus to Shelbourne," he said.

In contrast, Shels’ only absentee is suspended Greg O’Halloran leaving a dilemma for Dermot Keely as to who to partner Damien Brennan in the centre of defence. Alan Keely should be fit for the game however Alan Byrne, who faces a two game suspension after this tie, has performed very impressively in Keely’s absence.

Up front for Shels’, both Anto Flood and David Freeman scored last week and look in fine form together. A return of the centre midfield partnership of David McGill and Mark O’Brien is likely as Shels’ look to keep pace at the top of the table.

Speaking of the tie, Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley had this to say: “Shelbourne will be one of the main teams to beat this season but our recent form makes me believe that we can give them a good game […] Dermot Keely knows the First Division very well and has brought in a number of experienced players to help their promotion push.”

“I was encouraged by our performance against title favourites Dundalk two weeks ago, when we were unlucky to only come out with a draw, and the display against Kildare maintained that positive form.”

“We showed in the performance against Dundalk that we have the ability to compete against any of the teams in this Division. Confidence is starting to grow within the squad and we can push on further from our latest good results.”

A victory for Sporting Fingal would see them leapfrog Shels’; however a victory for the visitors could put them top if Dundalk lose at Limerick.

Kick off 7.45