League Preview: Shelbourne -vs- Shamrock Rovers B

• Macdara Ferris
• Fri, Sep 19 2014




SHELBOURNE

Friday night is culture night in the capital and Tolka Park is the only place in Dublin for that Friday night fix of footballing culture. If Shelbourne are to get automatic promotion back to the top flight in the league, away from the fringes of football that is the First Division, a win over their former Ringsend rivals Shamrock Rovers is a must (kick off 8pm).

 

With First Division league leaders Longford Town not playing Cobh Ramblers at home until Saturday evening, Johnny McDonnell’s team can go top of the table with a win over the green and white Hoops B team. When the Reds were last in action, they dispatched the Blues in Waterford 3-1 with Dylan Connolly scoring twice, along with a goal from Sean Russell.

 

This will be Shels’ penultimate home game of the season and their manager Johnny McDonnell is enjoying being involved in this promotion tussle. “To be playing games of such importance at the business end of the season is great for everyone at the club,” said McDonnell speaking to shelbournefc.ie.

 

“The buzz around the place is fantastic, from the grounds men to the supporters. The level of commitment from the players has been as professional as I’ve seen in a group of players. If we can maintain this until the end of the season, it will keep the pressure on current leaders Longford Town”.

 

McDonnell will be without four first team regulars for this game. After picking up four yellow cards, Adam O’Connor is suspended while knocks to Willo McDonagh and Keith Quinn mean they join long-term absentee Darren Tinnelly on the injured list.

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS B

Rovers’ First Division team are looking to finish as high as possible in the league with a six point gap between themselves in sixth place and Finn Harps who are one place above them in the table. Players and supporters however are also looking to see if the club will be competing in both divisions of the League of Ireland next season.

 

Their Premier Division manager Pat Fenlon, speaking ahead of his team’s EA Sports Cup final in Dundalk on Saturday, admitted that the future of their two team strategy is under review.

 

"It's up for discussion," said Fenlon speaking to the Irish Independent. "We'll probably make a final decision in the next week or two. It is a big expense for the club but if there are plus points as well, we have to look at that.”

 

Colin Hawkins meanwhile will be focusing on preparing his team as they try and earn their first win against Shelbourne this season. Both teams had a week off due to the FAI Cup quarter-finals last weekend.

 

The last time Rovers travelled to Tolka Park they claimed a 0-0 draw. In the 3-0 defeat to Galway FC in Tallaght in their last outing, Hawkins drafted in Ciarán Kilduff and former Shels player Rob Cornwall into his team.

 

That was the first time in 11 games stretching back to June 3 that Hawkins had brought Premier Division players into his squad. However, with the Hoops playing in Oriel Park on Saturday and Dalymount Park next Tuesday against Bohs, that is unlikely to happen for this First Division match.

 

Referee: Ray Matthews.

 

 

MATCH STATS
 

Shels have only tasted defeat at home in the league once this season and are joint top scorers with 23 home goals along with Longford Town. Their only loss was a 4-2 reversal to Galway FC at the end of May. Their last home game was a 0-0 draw with Longford.

 

The Hoops B side have lost once to Shels this season. That was the last time the teams played in Tallaght with Dylan Connolly and Lee Duffy earning Shels a 2-0 win. The other results were a 1-1 draw in Tallaght and a 0-0 stalemate in Tolka Park.

 

It is back-to-back away wins for the Hoops on their travels having won 2-0 against Waterford United and 1-0 away to Finn Harps in August.

 

BETTING
Shels 1/4; Draw 4/1; Rovers B 9/1.

 

PREDICTION
2-0 home win.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Darren Tinnelly, Willo McDonagh, Keith Quinn.

Suspended: Adam O’Connor.

 

Shamrock Rovers B

Injured: Unavailable.

Suspended: Conor Dunne.