Shelbourne -v- Wexford Youths
Credit:
First Division leaders Shelbourne will look to reverse a recent run of bad form which has seen them crash out of two cup competitions when they welcome Wexford Youths to Tolka Park tomorrow night (Kick-off 8pm).
Last Friday a shock 3-2 loss to Sheriff YC knocked Shels out of the FAI Cup, while four days later two late goals in Dalymount Park ensured that they were eliminated from the Leinster Senior Cup by Bohemians at the semi-final stage.
Although the two defeats were undoubtedly disappointing for Shels, their full focus should now be fixed on securing promotion with Wexford Youths the next obstacle on what has been a more bumpy road of late. Youths arrive at Tolka Park having picked up just four points from their last ten league matches.
Youths also had a disappointing FAI Cup result last week, going out at home to Cork City. Wexford are currently locked in a battle at the very foot of the First Division table with Salthill Devon.
Both Youths and Devon are currently level on ten points each but Noel O'Connor's side are ahead in the table thanks to their vastly superior goal difference. There are some eleven points separating Youths and ninth-placed Finn Harps in what has so far been a disappointing season for the south-east club.
Shels' mission to escape the First Division after four seasons has remained largely on course to date with the loss to Cork City three weeks ago just their second in the league this season. They will have to do without captain David McGill once again, whose absence through injury is expected to be long-term.
Meanwhile Youths are missing two players through suspension. Neither Dean Broaders, sent off against Cork City last week, and Daragh Walsh, who picked up a further suspension for getting an additional red card, will play any part tomorrow night. Ben Ryan will also miss out with a hamstring injury while a slight doubt hangs over defender Shane Nolan.
History would seem to favour a win for the Reds tomorrow night. Shels have won five times against the Youths in recent seasons, while drawing and losing twice. Perhaps surprisingly the two losses they did suffer came at Tolka Park, once in August 2009 and again in May 2010, a game that precipitated the departure of then manager Dermot Keely.
In their last meeting, Shels demolished Wexford 6-0 in the Leinster Senior Cup, while their two meetings in the league ended 1-0 and 4-2 to the Reds. Youths were a bit of a bogey team for Shels last year, drawing twice and winning once against the Reds, but this season's form has been much poorer.
Shelbourne
Injured: David McGill.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Wexford Youths
Injured: Ben Ryan.
Doubtful: Shane Nolan.
Suspended: Dean Broaders, Daragh Walsh.
Referee: Keith Callanan.
Paddy Power Odds: Shelbourne 1/7; Draw 11/2; Wexford Youths 14/1.
Extratime prediction: Shels to run out comfortable winners.
Last Friday a shock 3-2 loss to Sheriff YC knocked Shels out of the FAI Cup, while four days later two late goals in Dalymount Park ensured that they were eliminated from the Leinster Senior Cup by Bohemians at the semi-final stage.
Although the two defeats were undoubtedly disappointing for Shels, their full focus should now be fixed on securing promotion with Wexford Youths the next obstacle on what has been a more bumpy road of late. Youths arrive at Tolka Park having picked up just four points from their last ten league matches.
Youths also had a disappointing FAI Cup result last week, going out at home to Cork City. Wexford are currently locked in a battle at the very foot of the First Division table with Salthill Devon.
Both Youths and Devon are currently level on ten points each but Noel O'Connor's side are ahead in the table thanks to their vastly superior goal difference. There are some eleven points separating Youths and ninth-placed Finn Harps in what has so far been a disappointing season for the south-east club.
Shels' mission to escape the First Division after four seasons has remained largely on course to date with the loss to Cork City three weeks ago just their second in the league this season. They will have to do without captain David McGill once again, whose absence through injury is expected to be long-term.
Meanwhile Youths are missing two players through suspension. Neither Dean Broaders, sent off against Cork City last week, and Daragh Walsh, who picked up a further suspension for getting an additional red card, will play any part tomorrow night. Ben Ryan will also miss out with a hamstring injury while a slight doubt hangs over defender Shane Nolan.
History would seem to favour a win for the Reds tomorrow night. Shels have won five times against the Youths in recent seasons, while drawing and losing twice. Perhaps surprisingly the two losses they did suffer came at Tolka Park, once in August 2009 and again in May 2010, a game that precipitated the departure of then manager Dermot Keely.
In their last meeting, Shels demolished Wexford 6-0 in the Leinster Senior Cup, while their two meetings in the league ended 1-0 and 4-2 to the Reds. Youths were a bit of a bogey team for Shels last year, drawing twice and winning once against the Reds, but this season's form has been much poorer.
Shelbourne
Injured: David McGill.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Wexford Youths
Injured: Ben Ryan.
Doubtful: Shane Nolan.
Suspended: Dean Broaders, Daragh Walsh.
Referee: Keith Callanan.
Paddy Power Odds: Shelbourne 1/7; Draw 11/2; Wexford Youths 14/1.
Extratime prediction: Shels to run out comfortable winners.
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