League Preview: St Patricks Athletic -v- Shelbourne

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Patrick’s Athletic went on a really good run prior to the international break with four wins on the trot up to their last match, securing their position in the top three.

A dramatic 94^th minute winning goal for Drogheda in their last match brought that run to an end, and it will irritate new manager Jon Daly as a win in Drogheda would have propelled them into second place in the table behind current leaders Shamrock Rovers.

As it stands, they are in third place as the campaign resumes this weekend, sitting on 35 points, only one point behind Derry City and seven off the top spot occupied by Rovers.

They were on track for at least a draw in the Drogheda game as a Chris Forrester 45^th minute penalty had cancelled out an 18^th minute Adam Foley goal for the Drogs.

They were caught with a sucker punch in the fourth minute of added time however when Dayle Rooney set up former Pats player Darragh Markey for a last-minute strike which beat Dean Lyness in goals.

Manager Jon Daly can't wait to get back to action after the break and is looking forward to this Dublin Derby, the 145^th meeting between the two sides.

He spoke to the St Pats media team this week and said: “The players have come back from their little break in good spirits, we were disappointed with where we left off against Drogheda before the break.

“But they've been back in the last few days and have trained well and we're looking forward to getting back into it on Friday.

“It's a big game as have both matches we've already played Shels in this season, there have been good crowds at both and we're looking forward to it.

“We're hoping for a similar outcome to what we've had in the games so far but we'll need to work very hard and play well to get that.

“Shelbourne are a very dogged team, they defend well, are compact and don't give much away, it's important that we are patient in our play and that we attack when we get the opportunities as well as being mindful of their attacking threat too.”

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne were on a good run of form heading into the international break, only losing once in their last five matches.

That five- game performance mirrored their overall performance for the season, as they drew three of those five matches, making them the draw specialists of the league with nine in total so far in the 21 games played to date.

They also still retain the best defensive record in the entire league, only conceding 14 goals all season, four less than Bohemians and leaders Shamrock Rovers both of whom have 18 goals against.

They ended up 1-1 against Sligo Rovers in their last outing, and will have been disappointed not to have built on an early 1-0 lead in that game in the Showgrounds.

Matty Smyth scored in the fourth minute but they were unable to add to that solitary strike and when Niall Morahan netted for the home side in the 34^th minute, Shels seemed destined for yet another draw and a share of the points.

A top four spot is still well within their grasp however as they are only five points adrift of third placed St Patricks Athletic and crucially also have a game in hand.

Manager Damian Duff spoke with the Shelbourne media team ahead of the game and said “Coming in after the break, we could feel the enthusiasm and excitement around the place, although there were still some cobwebs after the 6 or 7 days off.

“We decided to come in a day early to get back into the swing of things. We are raring to go and eager to get back on the pitch, and I expect the lads to show that tomorrow.”

“Contrary to what some people say, there is indeed a rivalry between Shels and Pats and that has brought some intense games, they’ve been tight matches, hard fought.

“The recent game at Tolka was a real disappointment for us. The games this season, both decided by two set pieces that we were not good enough on.

“In Tolka, we didn’t offer much, particularly in the second half. Richmond Park has always been a difficult place for visiting teams to go.

“We know how hard it’ll be to get the win, but that’s our aim, we know what we need to bring and the players are embracing that.”

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

MATCH STATS

These two teams met four times in the 2022 season, with St Patricks Athletic winning twice, Shelbourne once and one high scoring 4-4 draw in the October fixture at Tolka Park.

Pats have had the upper hand this season, winning both fixtures by 1-0 on each occasion.

Sam Curtis’s 57^th minute strike was the difference between the two sides when they met most recently in Tolka Park in May.

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Shelbourne 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Joe Redmond, Tom Grivosti.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Shelbourne

Injured: Kian Leavy, Brian McManus

Doubtful: Matty Smyth

Suspended: None