FAI CUP Preview: Dundalk -v- Shelbourne

• Macdara Ferris
• Thu, May 28 2015




 

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites sit second in the all time list of FAI Cup winners and they welcome a Shelbourne side who sit jointly in third place in that table (kick off 7.45pm on Friday). While there are just two FAI Cup wins between them (nine v seven), there are 15 places in the league between the clubs. Champions Dundalk sit top of the Premier Division table, six points clear of second placed Cork City, with the visiting Dublin side in fourth place in the eight team First Division.

 

Stephen Kenny’s team are hot favourites to progress in this Irish Daily Mail FAI Senior Cup second Round tie. Dundalk have conceded just one goal in league action in Oriel Park this season and are unbeaten in all competitions in 2015. However, they will have to overcome a small bit of history as they have never beaten Shelbourne at home in the FAI Cup.

 

Dundalk come into the game following an impressive 2-0 win away to current FAI Cup holders St. Patrick’s Athletic last week. Daryl Horgan continued his impressive run of goalscoring form in that game. His two goals made if five strikes in the last four league games.  

 

The player was “absolutely delighted with the win,” when he spoke to Dundalkfc.com. “It was a great victory for us in Richmond Park. It is always a really difficult place to go and get any sort of result so for us to go and win was fantastic for us. 

 

“I thought we played really well, played some great football on the night and were fully deserving of the win. It was a good performance and a good three points.

 

“The FAI Cup is a big competition and it would be great to win it. I have never won it myself but hopefully we can do well in it this year. Shelbourne is going to be a difficult encounter, a really tough game for us. 

 

“They’re on a good run in the first division and will be coming to Oriel with a plan but we are in good form and hopefully we can keep it going and get through to the next round.”

 

Stephen Kenny will have to do with Brian Gartland who has a hamstring injury and Darren Meenan is also a doubt but Stephen O’Donnell is available having overcome an Achilles tendon issue.

 

“There is a big FAI Cup tradition between ourselves and Shelbourne,” said Stephen Kenny speaking to Dundalkfc.com, “but for us it is about keeping our winning and unbeaten run going. We will prepare well and we have had Shelbourne watched a few times in recent weeks. 

 

“We will go into the match with the right approach and we will be ready. The players are in really good form. We are not taking anything for granted. We are keeping our focus. The motivation level is high within the group to make it to the next round.”

 

 

SHELBOURNE

Shels face the daunting task of travelling to Oriel Park to take on a seemingly unbeatable Dundalk side. They will likely be hoping that Dundalk may rest some players as they juggle their league, cup and European commitments to come. 

 

The Reds do at least come into the game with a run of form, having won their last three First Division games. A penalty earned by Philly Hughes and dispatched by Gareth Coughlan gave Shels a 1-0 win last Friday over Roddy Collins’ Waterford United team in Tolka Park.

 

This tie is the second time in the last three seasons that Shels and Dundalk have met in the FAI Cup. The last time they played in this competition Shels lost 5-1 at Tolka Park at the quarter-final stage. Former Shels player Andy Boyle got one of the goals for Dundalk that night. 

 

The teams played in the EA Sports Cup earlier in the season with Dundalk winning 1-0 in Oriel Park thanks to John Mountney’s early goal. 

 

Kevin Doherty comes into the game with a depleted squad. Simon Dixon is out for the season while Jack Brady (leg), Dave Ryan (knee), and Conor Earley all miss out. Earley picked up a knock in the Waterford game. While Dylan McGlade in doubtful with a shin injury.

 

Referee: David McKeown.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Dundalk are currently on a club record 25 match unbeaten run in all competitions.

 

The teams have played each other 20 times in the FAI Cup with Shelbourne having the upper hand in these cup clashes. The Reds have nine wins compared with the Lilywhites’ seven wins.

 

Shelbourne are one of only four First Division sides to reach an FAI Cup final and the only team not to win the cup when they did so. Bray Wanderers (1990), Sligo Rovers (1994) and Sporting Fingal (2009) all lifted the trophy as First Division clubs. 

 

 

BETTING

Dundalk 1/10; Draw 15/2; Shelbourne 18/1.

 

PREDICTION

3-0 to the Lilywhites

 

 

Dundalk

Injured: Brian Gartland.
Doubtful: Darren Meenan.
Suspended: None.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Simon Dixon, Jack Brady, Dave Ryan, Conor Earley.
Doubtful: Dylan McGlade.
Suspended: None.