Shelbourne -v- Sligo Rovers

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Jun 27 2013




SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne return after the mid season break with a tricky fixture against defending champions Sligo Rovers. The Dublin side remain bottom of the league but have improved their form dramatically since Johnny McDonnell took over a month ago. They even recorded their first win on the road all season when they thumped Bohs by three goals to nil to head into the break with renewed confidence.


 

Despite not playing for two weeks Johnny McDonnell will have felt the break was extremely beneficial as it allowed some key faces to recover from injury. Glen Cronin, Brian Shortall, Robert Bayly and Rob Cornwall all return and are available for selection once again. Goals have been an issue for Shels so far this season with only nine goals to their name so far. Therefore it will be a concern to supporters when they learn that Dean Kelly will be forced to sit this one out with a hamstring injury he picked up after scoring twice against Bohs before the break.


 

In more bad news Paul Crowley is set for a prolonged period on the sideline as he goes under the knife to repair an injured hip. Despite having vastly improved on the discipline side of the game since the change in managers, the home team still go into this tie missing two players through suspension. The guilty parties are Jack Memery and Stephen Hurley who both miss out due to the accumulation of four yellow cards against their names.


 

There is however some positive news regarding signings as Gareth O’Connor is expected to be included in the squad for this Friday night fixture having made his debut late on against Bohs. O’Connor was Johnny McDonnell's first signing but there has been early indications that he intends to add a couple more new faces to his side in the coming days.


 

SLIGO ROVERS

Defending champs Sligo Rovers head into this tie with having put five past UCD before the break. The Bit O'Red travel to the capital with a couple of injuries and suspensions to deal with.


 

In his pre-match notes Barraclough has been keen to stress that his players will not be distracted having learnt their European opponents from the draw at the start of the week.  

 

“I don’t think it will impact Friday’s game in any way. We spoke briefly about the draw on Monday and it was quickly put to bed. All the focus is on three points in Tolka Park. This club wants to be in European competitions every season. That is all we are interested in and our domestic games will determine that. We can’t afford to lose focus from it."


 

Anthony Elding continues to serve his suspension for his red card received for violent conduct. The injured list contains Raffaele Cretaro, Evan McMillan and Danny Ventre. The only other absentee is Pascal Millien who is away on international duty with his country Haiti.


 

Lee Lynch may also be close to making a return to first team action having come through training on Thursday without suffering any injury setbacks. Sligo have indicated however that they will make a late decision prior to Friday nights fixture.


 

Speaking ahead of the game Ian Baraclough spoke about the effect his opposite number was having since arriving at Tolka Park.  

 

“There is some of that new manager syndrome with Johnny McDonnell coming in. I’m sure he will be looking at what he can do in the transfer window and put his stamp on things. I went to see them against Bohemians and he has united them and ready for the task they face for the rest of the season. But we know exactly what we are facing and go into the game in a mindset of targeting a victory.”


 

Sligo are set for some time on the road as they face a mammoth fixture congestion for the next week with three away games in just seven days.

 

“It gets us out of the house if you like and the small added pressure that comes from being at home. We tend to be very good away from home and have no fears for any game on the road. If we perform to standards we have set previously I’m very confident we will get three points on Friday and take each game on.”


Referee: Neil Doyle


 

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne have won more than 50% of the ties between the two clubs.


 

After the same amount of games played last season, Sligo had just one more point than they do this time round with 36.


 

Sligo are looking solid at the back having kept three clean sheets in a row on the road against Bray, Limerick and Waterford.


 

BETTING

Shelbourne 6/1; Draw 11/4; Sligo Rovers 1/2.

 

PREDICTION

Sligo to win 4-1. Having found their shooting boots again just before the break I see Sligo having far too much firepower for Shels to handle. A comfortable win by the away side is the only result I see possible here.


 

Shelbourne

Injured: Dean Kelly, Paul Crowley.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Jack Memery, Stephen Hurley.


 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Raffaele Cretaro (hamstring), Evan McMillan (knee), Danny Ventre (leg).

Doubtful: Lee Lynch (hamstring).

Suspended: Anthony Elding.

International duty: Pascal Millien.