Credit:
Shelbourne -v- Salthill Devon
- Niall Farrell
- Fri, Jul 22 2011
Bottom club Salthill Devon make the trip to Tolka Park on Friday night for the daunting task of facing league leaders Shelbourne (kick-off 8pm).
Salthill have amassed just six points from their 18 matches so far this season and find themselves on a seven match losing streak. In contrast Shels have won their last eight matches, losing just once in 18.
But Salthill can draw some hope from their last league outing, which saw them lose 1-0 to fifth-placed Longford Town only thanks to an 88th minute goal last week. Devon manager Paul 'Ski' McGee's side were made to rue a missed penalty in the first half.
McGee concedes that the loss last week was "bitter" and "hard to take" but noted that there has been "a major improvement" in his squad- who held Cork to a 1-0 win in Turner's Cross two weeks ago. "The defence have certainly tightened up and our young forwards can get goals" he said.
The Salthill manager went on to say that he doesn't expect to make many changes to the team which faced Longford in Drom. "We had a lot of knocks and dead legs from tackles, but I think the only one that would be serious at the moment is James Whelan" McGee said. "He got a bad bash at the end [of the Longford match]. But we're going to play the same system, we'll have a little bit more going forward hopefully. In this division you'll be surprised where you get results if you're positive enough to get them."
As if form wasn't enough of a factor stacked against the chances of a Salthill upset tomorrow night, history weighs heavily against the Galway club. In four previous meetings Salthill have never won against Shels- indeed, they have never scored against the Reds. The last time they met, Devon kept Shels to a 1-0 win but Alan Mathews' charges scored ten goals in the previous three meetings between the sides.
Shels come in to the match on high, after comfortably beating Finn Harps 3-0 in Ballybofey last week. Conan Byrne, David Cassidy and top scorer Philly Hughes were on target for the Reds in a match they dominated.
In their last seven league matches, Shels have conceded just one goal. To add to this formidable defensive record, centre-back Stephen Paisley could make his first start after a four-match injury layoff. Alan Mathews has a full squad to pick from, with no players injured or suspended.
Shelbourne
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Salthill Devon
Injured: None.
Doubtful: James Whelan.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Tom Connolly.
Paddy Power Odds: Shels 1/20 Draw 9/1 Devon 22/1.
Extratime prediction: Shels 3-0 Salthill.
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.