League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Shelbourne

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United will be looking to end their 2023 season on a high when they host Shelbourne at Weavers Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Kevin Doherty’s men are on a streak of four games without a win and despite no possibility of moving up in the table at this point a win would be a positive way to cap a successful season for the Boynesiders.

In their last time out, they secured a scoreless draw with Sligo Rovers, the Bit O’Red are another side to have happily avoided the relegation playoff that comes with a ninth place finish in the Premier Division.

This will be the fourth time United take on Shelbourne and they have yet to beat the Reds in 2023, they have draw twice and lost once.

Regardless – Doherty and his side can look forward to winter and the preparation for another season in the top flight of Irish football in 2024.

SHELBOURNE

Drogheda’s opponents on Friday night will have a bit of work to do, Damien Duff’s men are currently sitting in fourth place in the Premier Division just two points ahead of Dundalk and Bohemians.

Granted – they will be looking to St Patrick’s Athletic to win the FAI Cup this month in order to secure European qualification for next season but a loss for the Reds tomorrow night and a win for either Dundalk or Bohemians in their respective games would see any shot at Europe vanish.

Manager Damien Duff is calling for focus on the task at hand ahead of the fixture.

“We’re highly motivated to win, listen we can’t get carried away looking at the bigger picture, points, permutations and goal difference, park it, we’re going to win the game,” he said, speaking to the club’s website.

“It’s as simple as that. We’re not overthinking it. We’re going to try to get the best team on the pitch and play on the front foot.

“It’s a hard game, there are not many places in the league as difficult as Weavers Park, it’s not going to be an easy task. I’m highly respectful of the job Kevin Doherty has done. “There’s some former Shels lads there, players in the team and squad have an added incentive to turn us over. We need to be ready for that, go in with calm heads and do our job.”

The Reds are unbeaten in their last three games and with a 3-2 win over UCD in their last game they will be confident as they head to Weavers Park on Friday – particularly with Shelbourne confirming the availability of Conor Kearns with the goalkeeper missing out on last week’s game due to a virus.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United have failed to beat Shelbourne in their three previous meetings this season.

Shelbourne are currently holding on to fourth place but with Dundalk and Bohemians just two points behind them if the slip up on Friday they could drop two places.

Whatever happens tomorrow night – Shelbourne will finish in their highest position in the Premier Division since they were last crowned champions in 2006.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 0–1 Shelbourne

Drogheda United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: Jad Hakiki, Sean Boyd.

Doubtful: JR Wilson.

Suspended: None.