Credit:
Shelbourne -v- Waterford United
- Brendan White
- Thu, Jul 07 2011
Top of the table Shelbourne welcome a resurgent Waterford United side to Tolka Park this Friday night for an intriguing Airtricity First Division tie. Kick-off 8pm.
Last weekend saw both side’s win their respective games 1-0, both with penalty winners. Shelbourne overcome Monaghan United with a Philly Hughes penalty, while Paul Murphy’s spot kick handed Waterford United victory over Longford Town.
Shelbourne have won their last 6 leagues and their only recent loss came against Sligo Rovers in the EA Sports Cup, with just one league defeat to their name this season in the league. Waterford United have turned their season around somewhat with four wins from their last five games since the appointment of Paul O’Brien as first team manager.
“It’s the next game [so it’s] the most important game”, Shelbourne boss Alan Mathews said looking toward the game. “We’ll go back and train again. We’ll focus on the next game. [Our players] played magnificently tonight and deserve all the plaudits I hope they get. We had lads missing tonight and others stepped into their places and possibly played themselves into the side [for the Waterford game]. That’s what we want.”
Shelbourne welcome back both Kevin Dawson and Chris Mulhall from suspension having both been sent off in the game with Sligo Rovers. Defender Stephen Paisley remains a doubt however, but other than that, the manager has a full squad to choose from.
For Paul O’Brien, the addition of striker Sean Maguire last week and winger Paul Phelan this week should give him a positive selection headache. Adam McSherry is a slight doubt after injury ruled him out of last week’s win against Longford. Gary Dunphy misses the game through suspension while David Breen is out through injury. Midfielder Shane Dempsey is also a concern with a lower back strain.
O'Brien is expecting a tough challenge in Tolka Park. "The goodwill factor in the club is magnificent at the moment and we will head to Tolka Park determined to keep our run going. Of course Shelbourne will provide stiff opposition, but we badly want to get back on the coattails of the leading pack."
Shelbourne
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Stephen Paisley.
Suspended: None.
Waterford United
Injured: David Breen.
Doubtful: Adam McSherry, Shane Dempsey.
Suspended: Gary Dunphy.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Paddy Power Odds: Shelbourne 8/13; Draw 12/5; Waterford United 9/2.
Extratime prediction:The Blues are back in form and have won the last two meetings in Tolka Park and should make life difficult for Shels. 1-1.
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan.