Shelbourne -v- Cork City

• Niall Farrell
• Sat, Oct 29 2011




 

It may have seemed unlikely just a few months ago, but the First Division title race has gone right down to the wire and will be decided on Saturday night at Tolka Park when Shelbourne host Cork City.  (7.45 kick-off)

 

Shels may have already secured promotion, thanks to a win against Finn Harps on Tuesday, but it's not so certain for Cork. A loss would see them slip down to a play-off spot, while a win will see them promoted and crowned First Division champions. A draw, meanwhile, would be enough for Shels to win the title, while seeing City go up too. 

 

Both teams, then, have their sights on a league title. The last time they met Cork City were comprehensive 4-1 victors. Earlier in the season, the Rebels held Shels to a 1-1 draw in Tolka Park. Cork have lost just one match all year, but find themselves in second place because Shels have won more matches. 

 

With a draw being enough to see them promoted, City manager Tommy Dunne maintained that his side would be going all out for the win. “We have gone out to win every game we have played this season, and we will not be changing our approach for this match" Dunne told CorkCityFC.net. "Shels are already promoted, but there is a league title at stake and they also have a cup final the following week. Whoever plays for them will be looking to put in a good performance, as they will be playing for a league title and also for a place in the cup final team.”

 

Dunne is under no illusions about the task at hand. “Promotion is at stake, but the league title is at stake also, so we will be doing our best to win the match and to win the league" he said. "That said, we are under no illusions as to how difficult the task will be. We are away from home against a team that has been consistently good all season and has shown they can perform against any team in either division of the league."

Shels have the second-best defensive record in either the First or Premier divisions (bettered only by Sligo Rovers), but Dunne pointed out that recent weeks have seen the Reds scoring more. "Shels have been scoring quite a few goals lately, but so have we, so it is a fascinating game for both sets of supporters and for neutrals as well" Dunne said. "We’re looking forward to the game, to a good atmosphere and to trying our best to do what’s best for our club, which is to win the league.”

 

That 'good atmosphere' is almost guaranteed, with Cork City booking out five club buses to Dublin for the match and Shels fans sure to turn out in numbers for this league title decider. Shels captain David Cassidy told Extratime.ie after his side secured promotion on Tuesday that Shels would not be looking past the Cork match, despite the upcoming FAI Cup final.

 

City could be missing several players through injury. Davin O'Neill and Gavin Kavanagh are both major doubts, while Neal Horgan and Greg O'Halloran could both also miss out. Danny Murphy will return after serving his suspension in the 3-1 home win over Longford Town last week.

 

Colm James is still suspended after being sent off in the FAI Cup semi-final against Pat's and will not feature for Shels. David McGill is a long-term absentee through injury, as is Lorcan Fitzgerald.

 

Shelbourne:

Injured: David McGill, Lorcan Fitzgerald.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Colm James.

 

Cork City:

Injured: Gavin Kavanagh, Davin O’Neill.

Doubtful: Stephen Mulcahy, Greg O’Halloran, Neal Horgan.

Suspended: None.

 

Referee: Paul McLoughlin.

Paddy Power Odds: Shelbourne 6/4, Draw 21/10, Cork City 13/8.

Extratime prediction: A draw.