Shelbourne -v- Monaghan United

• Niall Farrell
• Thu, Mar 04 2010


Shelbourne and Monaghan United will kick off their respective Airtricity First Division seasons on Friday night at Tolka Park (kick off 8pm).

While Shels will harbour ambitions of going one better than last year’s playoff defeat to Sporting Fingal, the Mons are also optimistic heading into this season.

Monaghan United manager Mick Cooke said; “Friday is the start of a very important season for us and we will be putting our all into trying to break into the top four and cause teams like Shelbourne headaches.”

With just seven players from last season remaining in the squad, Shels will welcome a number of new faces into the squad, such as Bohs loanee Marc Hughes and ex-Drogheda United midfielder Paul Shiels.

As both sides have their own respective ambitions towards a placing in the upper end of the First Division, the match looks set to be a hotly contested encounter.

Shelbourne are given 3/1 odds of winning the First Division outright this season, while Monaghan are at 20/1 to win the Division.

Monaghan should also have new signings like Philip Hughes, Aidan Collins and Gabriel Sava in the match day squad.

Shane Grimes is the only injury concern for Monaghan United, while recently arrived midfielder Jack Flynn is suspended for Shels due to a red card he received last season with St. Pat’s.

Venue: Tolka Park, Dublin

Referee: S. Grant.

Paddypower.com odds: Shels 8/15, Monaghan 5/1, Draw 5/2.

Shelbourne
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Jack Flynn

Monaghan United
Injured: Shane Grimes
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Extratime.ie Prediction: As the match is the first of the season, form is hard to predict. A 1-0 win for Shelbourne is our prediction.