Shelbourne -v- Limerick

• Denis Gillespie
• Mon, Oct 03 2011




Shelbourne host Limerick tonight in an FAI Cup quarter final at Tolka Park kick off 8pm. A home semi-final against St. Patrick’s Athletic is the prize for the winner.

 

Shelbourne come into tonight’s game having lost 2-1 to Monaghan United in the league on Friday night.

 

Limerick will be hoping to continue their recent run of good form, they have won their last four league games. Among those victories was a 2-1 against tonight’s opponents at Tolka Park just over two weeks ago.

 

That win was secured thanks to two late goals from Paidraic Quinn and Peter Hynes, those strikes cancelled out Philip Hughes’ opener and gave Limerick the win. The other two games between the sides this season have ended in a win for Shels and a draw.

 

Both teams will probably see the league as their priority with Shels leading the First Division and Limerick currently level on points with third placed Cork City.

 

This tie of course is only taking place because of Shels successful appeal against the FAI’s surprising ruling that Limerick were to be awarded a bye into the semi-finals of the competition. This decision was made after Sheriff YC who beat Shels in the last round were disqualified from the Cup for fielding an ineligible player. The normal decision in these cases is to re-instate the team which has been wronged against as seen with UEFA’s decision to re-instate Celtic to the Europa league this season. Neither club will let what has happened bother them as they both will be delighted to have a chance to reach the semi-finals of the FAI Cup.

 

Shelbourne boss Alan Matthews will have to make do without David McGill who has been out for some time now. Other than that he has a fully fit squad to choose from.

 

Limerick will be without Shaun Kelly who is cup tied, he is also injured as he came off in Friday’s 1-0 win at Mervue with a calf strain. Rory Gaffney is cup tied too. Joe Gamble and Jeffery Judge are suspended. Stephen O’Flynn is still out so they are expected to name a similar side to the one which won that game although David O’Leary and Peter White return from suspension.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: David McGill.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Limerick

Injured: Shaun Kelly, Stephen O’Flynn

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Joe Gamble, Jeffery Judge

Cup Tied: Rory Gaffney, Shaun Kelly

 

Referee: Dave McKeon