Derry City -v- Shelbourne
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Derry City welcome Shelbourne to The Brandywell this Friday evening as they look to keep pace with early league leaders Waterford United.
A win for Derry, along with other helpful results, could leave them top of the 1st division table. Shelbourne, just three points behind, will be hoping to go level on points and remain in the hunt.
Striker Mark Farren could come into the Derry City squad, having missed several games because of injury but has resumed training. City boss Stephen Kenny is awaiting fitness reports on Ruairi Harkin and Eddie McCallion.
Kenny knows Shels are one of his team's big rivals in the push to get back into the Premier Division. "Shelbourne have been unlucky not to be promoted in the last two seasons," Kenny told BBC.
"They finished five points ahead of Sporting Fingal but lost to them in the play-off. That shows you the imbalance in the system. We are playing some great stuff at the minute and I am pleased with the players. "We have scored 15 goals in four games. There is a bit of freedom and the players are enjoying their football. The challenge for us is to be consistent”, he said.
Shelbourne followed up a 1-1 home draw with Cork City Foras on Friday night, with a 3-1 win against Shamrock Rovers, in Tallaght Stadium, by an ‘experimental’ Shels side in the Leinster Senior Cup on Monday.
Shelbourne will be without the injured duo of David Cassidy, who picked up a hamstring injury against Cork City Foras, and Michael Coburn who has a heel injury. A late decision will be made about Gareth Whelan who is doubtful, having picked up a back injury.
Jeremy O’Connell Cooke and Ian O’Reilly have been drafted into the travelling party from the ‘A’ side.
Extratime Prediction: A close 2-2 draw.
A win for Derry, along with other helpful results, could leave them top of the 1st division table. Shelbourne, just three points behind, will be hoping to go level on points and remain in the hunt.
Striker Mark Farren could come into the Derry City squad, having missed several games because of injury but has resumed training. City boss Stephen Kenny is awaiting fitness reports on Ruairi Harkin and Eddie McCallion.
Kenny knows Shels are one of his team's big rivals in the push to get back into the Premier Division. "Shelbourne have been unlucky not to be promoted in the last two seasons," Kenny told BBC.
"They finished five points ahead of Sporting Fingal but lost to them in the play-off. That shows you the imbalance in the system. We are playing some great stuff at the minute and I am pleased with the players. "We have scored 15 goals in four games. There is a bit of freedom and the players are enjoying their football. The challenge for us is to be consistent”, he said.
Shelbourne followed up a 1-1 home draw with Cork City Foras on Friday night, with a 3-1 win against Shamrock Rovers, in Tallaght Stadium, by an ‘experimental’ Shels side in the Leinster Senior Cup on Monday.
Shelbourne will be without the injured duo of David Cassidy, who picked up a hamstring injury against Cork City Foras, and Michael Coburn who has a heel injury. A late decision will be made about Gareth Whelan who is doubtful, having picked up a back injury.
Jeremy O’Connell Cooke and Ian O’Reilly have been drafted into the travelling party from the ‘A’ side.
Extratime Prediction: A close 2-2 draw.
