Credit:
Salthill Devon -v- Sheriff YC
- Aidan Farrelly
- Fri, Jun 03 2011
Salthill Devon welcome Sheriff YC to Drom this Friday in the 3rd Round of the FAI Ford Cup (Kick Off 7.45pm). Sitting at the foot of the First Division, a victory in the cup competition could provide a welcome morale boost to a side struggling to find form.
New boss Paul McGee is faced with the tough task of guiding Salthill to safety in this year’s league campaign, although his attention will be firmly rooted in securing the cup win this Friday. Devon have managed just one victory to date in the league, beating Wexford Youths back in May. Since then they have drawn with local rivals Mervue and lost to both Limerick and Athlone.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM’s Garry Kelly, McGee was in reflective mood on the subject of recent results along with looking ahead to the upcoming cup fixture.
“Decisions are definitely going against us at the minute, and I think it’s because we are bottom of the table. It’s a very defensive league. It’s not a nice league to play in. They are all playing 4-5-1. Athlone have a fantastic new ground, with about 30 people sitting in it.
“The bottom clubs are struggling to score goals. I need a striker but I can’t afford to buy one. We have lost a few players to America. I’ve signed a couple of players who had left the squad under the old manager. I think you’ll see my real squad in the next couple of weeks.
Sheriff, meanwhile, reached this stage of the competition by winning 1-0 away to College Corinthians of Cork, Sean Murphy scoring the only goal of the game after 16 minutes. “It’s an intriguing cup tie against Sheriff”, said McGee. “They will be looking at us as a scalp, because we are an amateur team. What I am looking at here on paper, I have a very strong team. We are looking for a winning mentality. Any chance of winning a game and we will go for it.”
The stage is set for what is could be a memorable evening for both sides, although for very different reasons. A win for the First Division side is essential if they are to develop the ‘winning mentality that McGee speaks of, while Sheriff will see this tie as a genuine opportunity to record a memorable ‘scalping’.
Salthill Devon:
Injured: None.
Doubtful:Victor Collins.
Suspended:None.
Sheriff YC:
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Unavailable:
Referee: Conor Fitzgerald.
Paddy Power Odds: Salthill Devon 4/6; Draw 11/4; Sheriff YC 3/1.
Extratime prediction: Salthill Devon 2-0 Sheriff YC.
About Aidan Farrelly
Aidan Farrelly joined the extratime team in mid 2010. A Kildare native, Aidan reports on St. Patrick's Athletic as well as other Dublin Clubs. Aidan can be contacted at: farrelly.aidan@gmail.com