Preview: Shelbourne vs Wexford Youths

• Gordon Hunt
• Thu, May 29 2008




Shelbourne host Wexford Youths this Friday night as they look to maintain their push for promotion. The two sides drew at Ferrycarrig earlier in the season and Mick Wallace’s charges beat Shels’ at the tail end of last season. However the sides are much changed since then and an away win would be unlikely in this one.

Shels’ beat Athlone last weekend and their impressive run since their early season slip up against Monaghan has taken them top recently. Wexford, however, were spanked 5-0 at home to Dundalk last week and 2-0 to Kildare the game before so confidence won’t be the highest around the dressing room.

Shelbourne may well be without goalkeeper Dean Delaney for this game having suffered a groin injury in Sunday’s game against Athlone. A decision on his injury will not be taken until close to kick-off time.

Philly Hughes, Alan Byrne and James Keddy are all still out injured, but Dave McGill returns to the squad, having missed the Athlone game because of suspension.

Wexford have no injuries to report and have a full squad to choose from.

“We'll have four of the All Ireland winning under-18 players in Friday's squad,” Wallace said. “It's obvious that we'll be up against it though. We've played every team in the Division now and Shels are the best side we've faced. We drew with them earlier in the season and beat them on the final day of last season, but this will be a serious challenge.”

Kick off at Tolka Park is 8pm