Preview: Shelbourne vs Dundalk

Arguably the highlight of the opening fixtures of the new season is Shelbourne v Dundalk at Tolka Park. The game, taking place at 8pm on Friday March 7, pits two of the three favourites for promotion against each other at the earliest possible stage.

Bookies have installed Dundalk as early season favourites for the title, with Waterford United second and Shels’ third. That leaves this opening fixture as the perfect opportunity to stake an early, indeed very early, confidence boost.

Shels’ assistant manager Collie O’Neill echoed the bookmakers sentiments: “It probably has a draw written all over it, but we’re confident of a win […] Dundalk have added a lot but I think we will have more to offer on the day”.

John Gill, manager of Dundalk speaking on his clubs website, says the pressure is on to win: “I want to win the game. [We] don’t prepare teams to go out and draw.” Gill has a near fully fit side after welcoming the news that Aidan Lynch will not face his impending suspension until next week.

For Shels’ injury worries, however, the news is mixed. Peter McGlynn and Steven Doran are out while the fitness of Alan Keely will be assessed closer to kick off. Also Mark O’Brien serves a one-match suspension carried over from last season. The return to fitness of club captain Damien Brennan and goalkeeper Dean Delaney is welcome news though. Brennan returned during preseason while Delaney, who picked up a knock in the friendly last week against Bohs’, was not as injured as first feared.

Both sides go into this game knowing that a good result could start off a streak of victories. Dundalk welcome Monaghan United next followed by a trip to Longford and would be confident of a healthy points return from those fixtures. Shels’ however travel to Kildare and Monaghan and would be far more confident with three points in the bag prior to their travels.

Dundalk enjoyed three victories over Shels’ last season and will be confident of repeating the success again after lengthy strengthening of their squad. However Shels’ squad is far different to that of twelve months ago and remain somewhat of an unknown quantity.

Dermot Keely’s men go into the game after an unbeaten preseason, however their lack of goals may be a worry. Anthony Flood, ex-Dundalk man, will be looking to pick up where he left off last season, having struck eleven goals in only sixteen matches. It will be up to a Dundalk defence who conceded 8 goals in their final four pre-season friendlies to ensure he doesn’t do just that.

All eyes will be on this one.