Credit:
Shelbourne -v- Mervue United
- Niall Farrell
- Thu, Jun 09 2011
A steadily improving Mervue United are the opposition for Shelbourne tomorrow night at Tolka Park as the Reds look to continue their eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
The two sides had contrasting fortunes in the FAI Cup third round last weekend. Shels came back from going a goal down early on to beat non-league Greystones 3-1, while Mervue lost out 4-0 to Premier Division Drogheda United.
But the general consensus among most people who have watched them this season is that Mervue are a club on the up. Johnny Glynn's side currently sit in sixth- above clubs like Waterford United and Athlone Town- having won seven of their thirteen games so far. Last time they met Shels, Mervue lost 2-1 at home in a match which they felt unlucky not to take something away from. This season has seen Mervue win against Monaghan United and draw with Cork City.
Manager Johnny Glynn says his side will travel up the M6 with no fear. "We have nothing to be afraid of going to Tolka Park, as we gave them a good game at home in Fahy’s Field and we will go there with plenty of attacking options and confident we can do well and get a result as long as we stick to our game plan”.
The omens aren't exactly good for Mervue though- the Westerners never taken points from a meeting with Shels and have scored just three in all the clubs' seven meetings. In three meetings last season, Shels conceded no goals against Mervue and scored eleven.
Alan Mathews told ShelsTV.com that he had his eyes firmly set on the Mervue match since Shels beat Greystones on Sunday afternoon. "Our next focus is to prepare as best we can for Friday night when we play Mervue in the league" the Shels manager said. "It was a welcome break from the league today but the important thing is that we maintain the momentum- and now we focus on Friday."
That momentum has seen Shels win their last three matches - putting them two points clear of Cork City at the top of the First Division with a game in hand. Alan Mathews has a full squad to choose from, with Stephen Paisley back after he missed the Greystones match.
Manager Glynn will be without a number of defenders for the trip to Dublin, as Nicky Curran continues to recover from his knee injury, club captain Eric Browne has retired due to work commitments, while goalkeeper Ger Hanley (shoulder) and Damien O’Rourke (Achilles) are still on the sidelines. Dan Cunningham and young centre half James Casserely (leaving cert) are also unavailable for the trip to the league leaders.
Johnny Glynn bemoaned his lack of natural defenders for the Shels match, saying: "we will be missing a number of players again, particularly defenders, as we will only have one recognised centre back in the squad, so it will be a tough task for us but we have to rely on our squad."
Shelbourne
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Mervue United
Injured/Unavailable: Nicky Curran (knee), Damien O’ Rourke (Achilles), Dan Cunningham (Leaving Cert.), Eric Browne (Work Commitments), Ger Hanley (Shoulder)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Referee: James McKell
Paddypower odds: Shelbourne 1/5 Draw 9/2 Mervue United 11/1
ExtraTime.ie Prediction: Shels to win 3-1
About Niall Farrell
Niall Farrell is our correspondent at Tolka Park, covering the goings-on at Shelbourne. You can visit Niall's website for further information and contact details- niallf.net.