League Preview: Cabinteely FC -v- Shelbourne

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, Apr 07 2017




CABINTEELY

Two teams with their tails up meet at Stradbrook on Friday night as Cabinteely hosts Shelbourne in a north v south battle in Dublin (kick off-7.45pm).

 

Cabinteely's run of three wins on the spin came to an end away to Athlone Town on Friday night as, 3-1 up and seemingly cruising, Pat Devlin's side conceded two late goals to share the spoils.

 

Goals from Evan Galvin, Jack Watson and Marty Waters – for the third successive game – scored as Cabo seem to have found a scoring touch after failing to find the target in their opening two games.

 

Midfielder Christian Lotefa typified the air of positivity that is floating around the dressing room as they look to make it five games unbeaten in an interview with the club's official website.

 

“The atmosphere is great,” said Lotefa. “There is great belief that as individuals, and more importantly collectively as a team, we have what it takes to keep raising our standards and pushing on.

 

“At the same time we are not getting carried away and continue to just take it one game at a time, so we are fully focused on Friday’s match against Shelbourne.

 

“A big part of the season so far has been down to the management, when you know you are trusted by them, it drives you on to give that bit more for them and the fans.”

 

Victor Ekanem remains a doubt for Cabinteely after picking up an injury in the win over Cobh Ramblers last month, while first team coach Eddie Gormley is suspended from the dugout.

 

 

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne will hope to make it three wins on the bounce as they visit Stradbrook, the Reds having found some form after failing to win any of their four opening bouts.

 

Manager Owen Heary hopes his side can take confidence from the comprehensive defeat of Wexford at Tolka Park into their second away Dublin derby of the season.

 

“[It's] great to get our first home win,” Heary told the club's website. “[It was a] very good performance – we dominated the game and should have been out-of-sight in the first half.

 

“The second half, they had chance with a penalty, but Deano [Delany] pulls off a great save. Then we got our just rewards with the second goal, and it was no more than we deserved.”

 

Looking ahead to Friday's game against the league's form team, Heary emphasised the positive atmosphere that exists in his own squad.

 

“Cabinteely are flying at the moment. They were three one up against Athlone, until Athlone scored two goals in the 90^th minute – a penalty and another goal – so they’ll be reeling from it.

 

“They have confidence, like ourselves. We have confidence going into games, so hopefully well go over there and get some sort of result from it.”

 

Heary will be without the injured Aidan Collins, Dylan Kavanagh and Mikey Murphy, but new signing Dave O'Leary has been cleared to play.

 

Referee: Andrew Mullally

 

 

MATCH STATS

In the eight league meetings between the two sides since Cabinteely joined in 2015, Shelbourne have enjoyed clear dominance with a record of six wins and no defeats, with two draws.

 

Of the four league matches last season, the first was a 1-1 draw at Tolka Park while all three further meetings went the way of the Reds.

 

The teams also met in the EA Sports Cup first round in 2016 as Shelbourne ran out comfortable 5-0 winners at home.

 

 

BETTING

Cabinteely 13/8; Draw 23/10; Shelbourne 6/4.

 

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 2 - 1 Shelbourne

 

 

Cabinteely

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Victor Ekanem.

Suspended: None.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Aidan Collins, Dylan Kavanagh, Mikey Murphy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None