League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Sligo Rovers

Shelbourne still chasing their first home win of the season

Shelbourne still chasing their first home win of the season Credit: Muller Santos (ETPhotos)

SHELBOURNE

The Reds will be looking to pick up their first home win of the season when they host Sligo Rovers on Friday night (kick off 7.45pm).

Shels are yet to pick up three points in Tolka Park this season. They will look to do so in a week where it was announced by Dublin City Council that the iconic ground will remain as a sporting facility, with specific objectives for redevelopment of the ground also promised.

They also have not gained any points since beating Derry City away in mid-April, losing at home to Bohemians, and away to Dundalk and Finn Harps in the games since.

Manager Damien Duff is eager to get that first home win under Shelbourne’s belt.

“Obviously we have that hanging over us and the longer it goes on the more pressure comes on us but tomorrow’s another opportunity to get that monkey off our back,” he said speaking to the club’s media.

“The players really want it. Tolka Park is the place to be and I can see the desire they have to get that win.”

Ahead of facing Sligo Rovers, Duff said, “We know their strengths and weaknesses and we’ll work to exploit them.

“The lads are in good spirits after the extreme disappointment of last week obviously. They’ve parked it and we’ve trained well all week.

“It’s great to welcome three players back from suspension too as they’re three big players for us so we can’t wait.”



The three players in question returning from suspension are Shane Griffin, Aaron O’Driscoll and Sean Boyd. In other team news, Brian McManus and Sean McSweeney are injury doubts, while Duff and coach Alan Quinn will be banished from the touchline as they are both suspended.

SLIGO ROVERS

The Bit O’ Red make the trip to Tolka Park in good spirits after managing to hold Shamrock Rovers to a 1-1 draw in the Showgrounds last Friday night. 

That result means Sligo Rovers are currently unbeaten in their last three, with the draw against the Hoops following wins away to Finn Harps and home to Drogheda United. 

Speaking to his club’s media team, manager Liam Buckley noted he is wary of the threat that Shelbourne will pose on Friday night.

“Shelbourne beat us at home only five weeks ago,” said Buckley. “They did well on the night and we probably under-performed. It was disappointing from our point of view but in this league all games are so tight and tomorrow will be no different.



‘’We were pleased with the performance last week against Shamrock Rovers. We will look to give it a good go again and we know we have another test again just three days later. It’s a busy schedule and the squad will be important. 

“We are in fourth spot at the moment and there is a long way to go. We have some great young players here and we’ve had to add new players this season as well so it’s still a matter of gelling all of that together and come the end of the season we’d like to be in a strong position.”

Garry Buckley will miss out through suspension following his red card in the dying stages against Shamrock Rovers, while forward Max Mata is nearing a return, but remains an injury doubt for Friday’s fixture.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

MATCH STATS

Sligo Rovers come into this one seeking revenge, as they lost 1-0 to Shelbourne in the Showgrounds the last time these two met. A Dan Carr penalty was the difference between the two sides, as Shels brought Sligo’s unbeaten start to the season to an end. That result sent Sligo into a tailspin, as they went on to drop points in two consecutive matches at home after.

Shelbourne continued their good away form after their win in the North-West, winning 2-1 in the Brandywell against league leaders Derry City. Both of those away wins came either side of a 2-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in Tolka Park, where Shelbourne are yet to win this season. They also have not won since that win away to Derry.

The last time Sligo Rovers did visit Tolka Park was in the shortened 2020 season, when a Gary Deegan strike handed Shels the 1-0 win. Unfortunately, it was not enough to keep them out of danger and they slipped into the relegation playoff spot, ultimately losing out in the playoff to Longford Town and were relegated to the First Division.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 0-1 Sligo Rovers

Shelbourne

Injured: None

Doubtful: Brian McManus, Sean McSweeney

Suspended: None

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None

Doubtful: Max Mata

Suspended: Garry Buckley

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