League Preview: Dundalk -v- Shelbourne

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DUNDALK

Dundalk boss Jon Daly is looking up rather than down as Shelbourne get set to visit Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

The Lilywhites are bottom of the table but know they are within striking distance of Drogheda United, Bohemians and even St Patrick’s Athletic in the battle to avoid the drop.

And Daly is hopeful his side can boost their survival hopes after over three weeks without a competitive game.

“If we can beat Shelbourne on Friday, we don’t just stay in and around Drogheda but we also potentially grab onto the coattails of Bohemians and St Pat’s who are the two teams above that,” Daly told his club’s website.

“Having the St Pat’s game on Thursday night the following week is also a positive for us and if we can manage to pick up points in these next two games then we’d be right back in the hunt.

“It’s not nice to be in the situation or the position that we’re in. 

“Nobody wants to be there but that’s the reality that we’re in at the moment and we need to try and get points on the board as quickly as possible and try to claw our way out of it.”

Bobby Faulkner, Paul Doyle and Dara Keane are out for Dundalk, while Jad Hakiki cannot play due to the terms of his transfer from Shels earlier this season.

SHELBOURNE



Shelbourne boss Damien Duff saw his side give up top spot last weekend after a 1-1 draw against Bohemians.

But the Reds are only behind leaders Derry City on goal difference with a game in hand.

And they have been boosted with the return of John O’Sullivan from injury. Sean Boyd and Dean Williams are also closing in on a return to full fitness.

“The lads trained really well, the good news is Sean Boyd and Dean Williams are nearly back. Which is great, it means we’ll go to Dundalk with almost a full squad to choose from,” Duff tols Shelbourne’s in-house media team. 

“John O’Sullivan is available, he has been managing his pain over the last two weeks, but it just shows what a warrior John is, he’ll make himself available and play through it. The extra week has been good for him.

“The sessions have been really upbeat and high-energy, with top quality, now it’s just about taking that into tomorrow and delivering what I know they’re capable of. There’s no hangover or negative reaction to last Friday. 



“At the end of the day, it was a Dublin derby against a difficult team with dangerous players. The real disappointment is probably that we’ve dropped other silly points over the last 6 to 8 weeks, rather than in a very tight Dublin Derby.”

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea. 

 

PREDICTION

Dundalk 1-1 Shelbourne

 

Dundalk 

Injured: Bobby Faulkner, Paul Doyle, Dara Keane.

Doubtful: None. 

Unavailable: Jad Hakiki. 

Suspended: None. 

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Sean Boyd, Dean Williams.

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None. 

 

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