Shelbourne -v- College Corinthians

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Aug 23 2013




SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne’s tirn-around in form under new manager Johnny McDonnell has been impressive and 13 of the Reds’ 20 league points have been won since his arrival in May. But Shels have failed to win any of their last four competitive games, a record that will give some hope to College Corinthians who travel to Tolka Park for this FAI Cup third round tie on Friday night.

 

Shels have done alright in the Cups this year, winning three of their five knockout games, beating another Munster Senior League team, Bandon AFC, in the previous round of the FAI Cup, as well as registering victories over Athlone Town and UCD in the Leinster Senior Cup before bowing out of that competition to St Pats last Monday night.

 

For this latest challenge McDonnell will be without the injured quartet of Paul Crowley, Mark Leech, Jack Memery and Robert Bayly while Jamie McGlynn and goalkeeper Lee Murphy are cup-tied. Brian Gannon is also suspended for the game.

 

With Corinthians facing their first competitive game of their season, Shelbourne should have more than enough in the tank to win through but recent years have seen dramatic cup defeats to non-league opposition in the form of Crumlin United (2009) and Sheriff YC (2011).

 

COLLEGE CORINTHIANS

College Corinthians will arrive at Tolka Park on Friday night for the first competitive game of their new season and they could hardly have expected a more daunting task than to be facing Premier Division opposition in an FAI Cup tie.

 

Along with fellow non-leaguers Sheriff YC and Bluebell United, Corinthians face up to the odd experience of continuing their cup run in what is for them an entirely new season, with all the personnel changes that go with that.

 

Ronan Stanton and Robbie Waters, who both played in the last round against Tolka Rovers, have since moved on to Cobh Ramblers while Gareth Cambridge, Stephen Carroll, Eoghan Murphy and Willie Heffernan also left over the summer break. But in their places have come the likes of Mark Power and John Gaffney from Rockmount along with Ian Long who joined from Cobh Ramblers.

 

Pre-season has been encouraging for the Cork side with three friendlies yielding wins against Ringmahon Rangers (3-1) and Blarney United (3-0) while Welsh Premier Division side Carmarthen Town were held to a 3-3 draw.

 

“to be honest”, said Corinthians’ assistant manager Seamus Ring, “we’re quietly confident. They (Shelbourne) aren’t exactly in the best of form and I suppose our guys are on a bit of a high after pre-season, so we won’t go there lacking in confidence”

 

Corinthians will give fitness tests to Josh Kra and Evan Browne but otherwise have a fully fit squad to choose from. 

 

Referee: Rob Rogers.

 

 

MATCH STATS

These sides have met before in the FAI Cup. Shels beat Corinthians 2-0 at Tolka Park in February 1992 with goals from Mark Rutherford and Gary Haylock.

 

This will be Shelbourne’s 31st competitive fixture of the season. It will be College Corinthians’ first.

 

How long is it since Shelbourne last beat a Munster Senior League side in the FAI Cup? Twelve weeks ago when they knocked Bandon AFC out of the previous round.

 

 

BETTING

Shelbourne 1/6; Draw 11/2; Corinthians 13/1.

 

PREDICTION

1-1 and a replay in Cork

 

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Paul Crowley, Robert Bayly, Mark Leech, Jack Memery.
Doubtful: None.
Cup Tied: Jamie McGlynn, Lee Murphy
Suspended: Brian Gannon.

 

College Corinthians

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Josh Kra, Evan Browne.
Suspended: None.