Shelbourne -v- Monaghan United

• Niall Farrell
• Thu, Apr 14 2011


Top spot in the First Division is the prize for the winner as Monaghan United visit First Division leaders Shelbourne tomorrow night (8pm).

Both sides have a game in hand on second-placed Cork City, but Shels sit atop the division with 13 points. Monaghan are third placed with 11 points meaning they could leapfrog the Reds with a win at Tolka Park. 

Mons and Shels will be familiar with each other despite this being their first meeting this season with players from both sides having played for the other team in the past. Philly Hughes, Karl Bermingham and Barry Clancy all played for Mons last season before switching to Shels colours, while the former Shelbourne players in the Monaghan camp are Eric Foley, Alan Byrne, Philip Byrne, Aidan Collins, Andy Haran and Dave Rogers. 

Monaghan, making their first trip to Dublin under Roddy Collins, come into the match after narrowly beating fourth-placed Longford Town 1-0 last week at home. Collins has as near a full squad as there has been so far this season with Alan Byrne, captain Don Tierney and both of the Brennan brothers all fit. Aidan Collins is the only potential absentee for Monaghan the former Shels man remaining a doubt.

Alan Mathews, who had previously said that Shelbourne had yet to reach their potential, told ShelsTV.com that he was happy with his side after their 4-0 win over Athlone Town last week. The Reds manager declared he was "very happy with the result – and with the performance” after the win in Lissywoolen. A number of players went off injured during the win against Athlone but Shels have a full squad to choose from. Stephen Paisley was treated during the week and Kevin Dawson has also recovered from a bug.  

Shelbourne:
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Monaghan United:
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Aidan Collins.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Phil Caschera.
Paddypower.com Odds: Shels 5/6; Draw 9/4; Mons 3/1.
Extratime.ie Prediction: 1-1.