Shelbourne -v- Salthill Devon

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Sep 03 2010


A Shelbourne side that still hold out hopes of making the First Division promotion play-offs meet the league’s bottom club, Salthill Devon, at Tolka Park on Friday night. (Kick-off 8pm)

Shelbourne have had something of a resurgence of late having struggled to develop a consistent level of performance in the earlier part of the season. Since the departure of former manager Dermot Keely the Reds have become harder to beat and put in a number of performances that have revived hopes of finishing in the top three and earning another crack at promotion to the Premier Division.

Currently just four points off a play-off place Shels have lost just twice in their last eleven league games. They also won the Leinster Senior Cup and were narrowly beaten by reigning league champions Bohemians in the FAI Cup 4th round.

Boss, Alan Mathews, has a fully fit squad to choose from on Friday night although midfield general, David McGill will miss the game through suspension. He also welcomes back defender Stephen Paisley who was unavailable for the cup game having turned out for Sporting Fingal in an earlier round.

“We have to push on and get the three points”, said Mathews, in reference to Fridays game. “We’ve enough games to play to give ourselves a chance of that play-off spot.” Referring to his sides performance against Bohemians he said, “We have to make sure that we reach that level of performance and attitude and play the game with that sense of purpose. If we play the game like that we’ll be okay”.

Salthill, meanwhile, have the carrot of lifting themselves off the bottom of the league should they manage to grab the points for themselves. Having looked like nailed on certainties to finish last for most of the season they now find themselves just a single point behind fellow Galwegians Mervue United.

The improvement in their prospects is down to having secured one win and two draws from their last six league games while Mervue have lost all of their last seven. They have also scored eight goals in those six matches, more than they managed in their previous eighteen league outings.

This mini revival is a testament to the motivating powers of manager Emlyn Long who has been faced with the almost impossible task of keeping his young squad going against overwhelming odds. A reprieve from the 22nd rung of the league ladder would be a fitting reward but beating Shelbourne at Tolka Park may be beyond them this weekend.

Shelbourne
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: David McGill.

Salthill Devon
Injured: Not Available.
Doubtful: Not Available.
Suspended: Michael Quirke.

Referee: S Grant.
Extratime prediction: A 2-0 home win for Shelbourne.