League Preview: Shelbourne -v- St Patrick's Athletic

SHELBOURNE

Tolka Park is the scene for Damien Duff’s first foray into management as he leads Shelbourne into the 2022 Premier Division season.

Their first assignment will be to welcome FAI Cup holders St Patrick’s Athletic to Drumcondra with kick off at 7.45pm.

The Reds were seriously impressive in their promotion campaign from the First Division last season as they returned to the top flight at the first time of asking after getting relegated in 2020.

It wasn’t enough to keep Ian Morris at the helm as he was replaced by two-time Premier League winner Duff.

Shels’ squad includes a host of former Saints with Brendan Clarke, JJ Lunney, Conor Kane and Shane Griffin.

It will be the first meeting between the sides since 2020 when Chris Forrester and Rory Feely goals saw the Sainsts ease to a 2-0 win in Inchicore.

Duff will be without the services of Sean Boyd for Friday night’s fixture with the new signing serving a suspension.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints return to action for the first time since winning the FAI Cup at the Aviva 81 days ago. Much has changed at Richmond Park with a host of players leaving and Tim Clancy coming in to replace the departed Stephen O’Donnell.

A managerial appointment that has slipped under the radar compared to his opposite number on Friday.

Clancy has bolstered the Saints’ squad with nine new additions including Mark and Eoin Doyle from Drogheda and Bolton Wanderers respectively.

Clancy is expecting a huge challenge at a sold-out Tolka Park for the first Dublin Derby of the season.

“Three of the first four league matches are Dublin derbies, with Shelbourne first up on Friday night,” he told the club’s media team.

“It's a sellout and we are expecting a massive atmosphere. It's Damien Duff's first competitive game as a manager as well so we are really looking forward to that and it's live on the television as well.

“We watched them live against Drogheda and UCD and I've watched them in a couple of other games as well, so we know it's going to be a very difficult game.

“It's going to be a brilliant atmosphere and there is a buzz about the place as well so it's a brilliant game to start the season off with."

Former Bohemians left back Anto Breslin is one of nine new signings looking to make his mark as Pats prepare for the first of 16 Dublin derbies this season.

The 25-year-old is expecting a closely fought encounter on the opening night of the season.

"We are feeling good. Last Friday against Shamrock Rovers was a good test for us and we played really well, so I think that will set us up nicely now to face Shelbourne.

“The derbies are the games you want to play in. You saw how good the atmosphere was in Tallaght last week, it was absolutely electric and I'm sure it will be the same in Tolka this weekend.

“Friday is a big occasion for both clubs, and it's the first night of the season. We will not be underestimating them, we've prepared well, I think it will be a really good, intense game."

In terms of team news, Paddy Barrett and Ronan Coughlan are currently side-lined through injury while Adam Murphy and Sam Curtis return to the squad having missed the President’s Cup game due to international duty.

Referee: Rob Hennessey

MATCH STATS

This will be former Republic of Ireland international Damien Duff’s first game in charge of Shelbourne, with Tim Clancy taking charge of his first game as manager of the Saints.

The sides last faced each other in 2020 with the Saints emerging victorious in September of that year, winning 2-0 at Richmond Park.

The Saints last visit to Tolka Park ended in defeat however when they lost 1-0 to Shels earlier that season.

BETTING

Shelbourne 5/2; Draw 2/1; St Patrick’s Athletic 11/10.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 0-2 St Patrick’s Athletic

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful:

Suspended: Sean Boyd

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Paddy Barrett, Ronan Coughlan

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None