Shelbourne vs Sporting Fingal

• Gordon Hunt
• Thu, Oct 30 2008




League leaders Shelbourne welcome local rivals Sporting Fingal to Tolka Park on Friday as the Reds look to close out the season with three more wins and, surely with that, promotion to the Premier Division. Sporting, themselves, still harbour slim ambitions of promotion however nothing short of a large victory here and a slip up by both Dundalk and Shels’ in their remaining games will do.

Fingal have had the better of the ties with Shels’ this season, two draws and a win over the Reds. Indeed in their last meeting, at Morton Stadium, Shels’ were in control of the tie. One up approaching half time, only to throw it a way in monumental fashion. Shels’ physically towered over their opponents but surrendered their threat when they stopped crossing the ball.

In what will no doubt be a ridiculously cold affair, the hosts have skipper Damien Brennan back after serving a one week suspension. Philly Gorman will have a late fitness test following a groin injury, but definitely out for the Shels’ are Gary McCabe and Darren Forsyth, both suffering with ankle injuries.

Sporting’s Aidan Collins is still out with a knee injury and Fiachra McArdle is doubtful because of a foot complaint.

"We are still five points behind Shelbourne, with three games to go, so anything less than a win at Tolka Park will probably leave us unable to catch them. Shelbourne are the in-form team in the Division at the present and the destination of the title is very much in their hands. This is a game all of our players are looking forward to," said Sporting manager Liam Buckley.

Extratime.ie prediction for the game is a win for Shelbourne by two goals to one.