Bohemians -v- Shelbourne
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Local rivals Bohemians and Shelbourne meet for the first time this season in an FAI Cup fourth round tie which comes with its fair share of intrigue.
Shels sit a division below Premier Division title contenders Bohs, but haven't beaten the Gypsies since the very last day of their last season in the Premier in 2006- a match which clinched the Premier Division for Shels.
Coming into the match off a four match unbeaten run, Reds boss Alan Mathews was quick to acknowledge the difference in class between the two sides. “It will be a difficult challenge, a different one from today [the Wexford Youths game]. We will analyse this, pick the bones of this and be positive for the game against Bohemians”.
Asked if Shelbourne could get a result at Dalymount on Friday, Mathews said “Of course we can. Football, if you do your work right and approach the game in a positive way, it’s a fair game. There is absolutely no reason why any side can’t get a result against any other side – from any division. We need to be organised. We need to show a good appetite for the game – which we will – and anything can happen.”
“It will be a difficult game for us because we’re stepping up a notch, but it will also be a very good test for us. If the club and the players want to play in the Premier Division, this is the kind of test that you have to show that you can match up to and that you can produce the goods on the day, when required , in an environment that’s a mark up from First Division standard”.
Bohs manager Pat Fenlon faces his former club, and says he is looking forward to the occasion. "
It’s really the first big competitive game against them since I left there. I had great years there as a player and a manager and I’m looking forward to them coming to Dalymount.”
“I saw them recently in the Leinster Cup final. They are a decent side and Alan Mathews has done a lot of work with them. They are playing a bit differently now to when Dermot [Keely] was there. We’re expecting a tough game. Coming here they’ll obviously be looking to enjoy the occasion too.”
Drogheda were Bohs' last opposition, and Fenlon was pleased with his side's performance. “It was a hard-fought win. It’s never easy going there but we showed good character to win the game. We’ve had two tough away games and won both so I’m delighted with it.”
Shelbourne
Injured: None
Doubtful: David Cassidy (Hamstring)
Suspended: Mick Coburn
Bohemians
Injured: Stephen Gray (Hamstring), Anto Murphy (Hamstring) Rafaelle Cretaro (Hip)
Doubtful: Paul Keegan (Groin)
Suspended:
Referee: N. Doyle
Paddypower.com Odds: Bohs 2/7 Draw 7/2 Shels 15/2
Extratime.ie Prediction: Bohs to shade it, 2-1
Shels sit a division below Premier Division title contenders Bohs, but haven't beaten the Gypsies since the very last day of their last season in the Premier in 2006- a match which clinched the Premier Division for Shels.
Coming into the match off a four match unbeaten run, Reds boss Alan Mathews was quick to acknowledge the difference in class between the two sides. “It will be a difficult challenge, a different one from today [the Wexford Youths game]. We will analyse this, pick the bones of this and be positive for the game against Bohemians”.
Asked if Shelbourne could get a result at Dalymount on Friday, Mathews said “Of course we can. Football, if you do your work right and approach the game in a positive way, it’s a fair game. There is absolutely no reason why any side can’t get a result against any other side – from any division. We need to be organised. We need to show a good appetite for the game – which we will – and anything can happen.”
“It will be a difficult game for us because we’re stepping up a notch, but it will also be a very good test for us. If the club and the players want to play in the Premier Division, this is the kind of test that you have to show that you can match up to and that you can produce the goods on the day, when required , in an environment that’s a mark up from First Division standard”.
Bohs manager Pat Fenlon faces his former club, and says he is looking forward to the occasion. "
It’s really the first big competitive game against them since I left there. I had great years there as a player and a manager and I’m looking forward to them coming to Dalymount.”
“I saw them recently in the Leinster Cup final. They are a decent side and Alan Mathews has done a lot of work with them. They are playing a bit differently now to when Dermot [Keely] was there. We’re expecting a tough game. Coming here they’ll obviously be looking to enjoy the occasion too.”
Drogheda were Bohs' last opposition, and Fenlon was pleased with his side's performance. “It was a hard-fought win. It’s never easy going there but we showed good character to win the game. We’ve had two tough away games and won both so I’m delighted with it.”
Shelbourne
Injured: None
Doubtful: David Cassidy (Hamstring)
Suspended: Mick Coburn
Bohemians
Injured: Stephen Gray (Hamstring), Anto Murphy (Hamstring) Rafaelle Cretaro (Hip)
Doubtful: Paul Keegan (Groin)
Suspended:
Referee: N. Doyle
Paddypower.com Odds: Bohs 2/7 Draw 7/2 Shels 15/2
Extratime.ie Prediction: Bohs to shade it, 2-1
About Niall Farrell
Niall Farrell is our correspondent at Tolka Park, covering the goings-on at Shelbourne. You can visit Niall's website for further information and contact details- niallf.net. View Full Profile