Limerick -v- Shelbourne

• Andrew Cunneen
• Fri, Oct 22 2010


Limerick entertain promotion hopefuls Shelbourne on Shannonside this Friday evening, in what promises to be a feisty encounter between the two sides. (Kickoff 7.45 pm)

Pat Scully’s side are all but out of the playoff race as of last week. A draw up in Monaghan, a draw too many for the Blues this season, as Limerick fade out of the promotion picture after a game they really should have won. Pat Scully will no doubt be looking to mount a more serious and more successful challenge next year, but will professionally deal with the job at hand against his old club Shelbourne at Jackman Park.

Alan Mathews’ side come into this fixture off the back of a comprehensive victory against Galway’s Mervue United at Tolka Park last Friday. While Shelbourne can claim three different managers this season, it’s clear that Alan Mathews is now delivering some great form and some great football to the Reds faithful in Drumcondra.

Anything but a win could be the final nail in Shelbourne’s coffin this season, dependent on Waterford United’s result, who are at home to Athlone Town. Shelbourne have a few injury worries but will be boosted by the return of Mick Coburn following his suspension for his red card in the Brandywell. Dinny Corcoran will miss the remainder of this campaign while Philly Gorman is playing with the Armed Forces side, on international duty, so to speak.

Pat Scully doesn’t have any fresh injury problems ahead of Friday’s clash, Shane Clarke being his only absentee, due to an accumulation of four yellow cards. Pat Scully has virtually an entire panel to choose from and may opt to give his younger guns a chance. Any Limerick team will prove a stern test for Shels, especially at Jackman Park.

The teams have met twice this season already with Limerick prevailing both times, without conceding a goal over the two ties. The Blues won one-nil at home to a Dermot Keely Shelbourne side, thanks to a Declan Cahill header. And the reverse tie in Drumcondra saw Limerick thrash Shels by four goals to nil. These ties are always interesting, and usually full of goals.

With Limerick affectively out of the promotion race, enthusiasm may be hard to muster, although they have stopped Shelbourne before. As many Shels and Limerick fans alike will recall, a Colin Scanlan strike saw Shelbourne’s title charge go up in smoke with the penultimate kick of the 2008 season. That resulted in Dundalk’s promotion. Can lightning strike twice? Or will Shels have too much for a resilient Limerick?

Shelbourne:
Injured: Dinny Corcoran
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Philly Gorman

Limerick:
Injured: None
Suspended: Shane Clarke
Unavailable: None

Referee: Keith Callanan (Cork)
PaddyPower.com Odds: Limerick 13/8, Draw 11/5, Shelbourne 11/8.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Shels to win 2-0.