Preview: Shelbourne vs Athlone Town

• Gordon Hunt
• Thu, Mar 27 2008




Shelbourne return to Tolka Park for the first time since the opening day of the season. Since then their uncomfortable form has seen them beat Kildare 3-1, lose to Monaghan 1-0 and eventually beat Sporting in the cup on penalties. If this is Shelbourne’s true form than fans of Dermot Keely’s reds are in for a confusing season.

Anthony Floods form from last season does seem to be carrying over to this term, as the striker has been the reds main threat, scoring two from the first four games. However beyond him, goals seem hard to find in the team thus far. In front of their home support Shels’ will no doubt be trying to rectify such a situation.

With Greg O’Halloran suspended following his dismissal against Monaghan, it is interesting to see if Keely will stick with the McGill O’Brien partnership tried out against Sporting earlier in the week. James Chambers seems set to regain his starting place ahead of Alan Mulcahy after he started and impressed in the same game, following his omission against Monaghan.

Dundalk have hit form after their opening day draw at Tolka Park and it is imperative Shels’ don’t let the three point gap already amassed, which could well extend to six after Dundalk welcome Wexford Youths tonight, get out of hand too early.

As for Athlone, their start to the campaign has seen them fail to score in any of their first three games (including the cup). A postponement to their opening fixture left them short of match practice ahead of a 2-0 loss to Sporting in the league. This was followed by a scoreless draw at home to Waterford and a 3-0 defeat by Bray in the cup.

Facing Shelbourne, who have conceded two in the league, is not the best was of addressing this situation and a loss at Tolka Park would see the side remain at the wrong end of the table. Worrying times so for the Town.

Athlone have tried different men in attack in their opening games as they look for the right formula, unlike Shels’ who seem to have settled for a Flood Freeman partnership. However problems persist throughout the team, as when Fingal welcomed Athlone to Santry in mid march, the away side were dominated all over the pitch. Similarly Bray saw off Athlone without too much bother on Monday last and it looks like a big ask for them to overcome this Shelbourne side.

Tough day at the office for the away side and it looks like a home win here.