League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Shelbourne

DROGHEDA UNITED 

Drogheda United welcome Shelbourne to Weavers Park on Friday night in the Premier Division (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

The Boynesiders picked up two points last weekend with scoreless draws against Dundalk and St Patrick’s Athletic. 

Kevin Doherty’s side have also claimed a victory over Bohemians earlier this term, which is their only victory of the season.

But they have started to find their feet in recent weeks, taking six points from their last five fixtures. 

Shelbourne, however, have taken 13 points during that run. 

Luke Heeney is suspended for the Drogs tonight and is expected to be their sole absentee against the Reds. 

SHELBOURNE 

Damien Duff is expecting a ‘bloody tight’ encounter against Drogheda United at Weavers Park. 

The Reds have enjoyed a fantastic start to the campaign and are unbeaten so far. 

But Duff knows what to expect against Drogheda and Doherty’s side.

They won 4-2 on their last visit to Weavers Park last season to ensure a fourth placed league finish - and European football for 2024.

“Games against Drogheda home or away are always bloody tight. We know that, more often than not, it’s at home where they are at their best,” he said. 

“Difficult place to come to Weavers Park, they are a well set up team and they have a good manager and a lot of talented players. 

“Nobody will forget the game on November 3rd 2023, if need be tomorrow night we can dip into that and gain confidence from it, to go 2-0 down and still have complete and utter belief we would do the job, how calm we were in the chaos, it was a brilliant performance. 

“I always think games are totally different but lads can take confidence from that one 100%, and it ended up being was such a big night in recent Shels history.”

Referee: Rob Hennessy. 

PREDICTION 

Drogheda United 0-2 Shelbourne

Drogheda United

Injured: None. 

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: Luke Heeney. 

Shelbourne 

Injured: None. 

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None.