League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Cork City

• Andrew Dempsey
• Thu, Jun 24 2021




SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne will be looking their imperious run of form as they welcome age-old rivals Cork City to Tolka Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Reds come into the game off the back of a crucial 1-0 win away to a resurgent Wexford last time out.

But despite Shelbourne’s unassailable lead at the top of the table, their boss Ian Morris is aware of how difficult a challenge Cork will be on Friday night.

“It’s a huge game. There’s always that excitement when the fixture comes in for both clubs and the game is set up to be a big game, especially with fans back.

“They’ve come back after the break and had a decent win in Athlone where you see a lot of energy and their players giving everything to get at you,” he added. 

With 100 fans back into the ground, Morris said he is “hoping the fans can help raise us to another level.”

The Shelbourne boss also noted that he had been impressed at the depth in his squad and the players’ team spirit in recent weeks.

“It just shows the quality of the dressing room and how the players have worked hard and knuckled down.

“Everything we do is for the team, and you have to take the opportunity and be ready which the players have been every week,” he added. 

In terms of team news, Sean Quinn and Yoyo Mahdy are both doubts while Denzil Fernandes and Gerardo Bruna remain long-term absentees.

CORK CITY

After ending their nightmare run of form away from home last weekend with a win over Athlone Town – Cork City face their biggest test of all as they get set to take on Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

City won 2-0 at Lissywoolen – and that win brought them closer to the playoff positions, but they still have work to do if they are to claw that gap back.

“The second half against Cabinteely, I just didn't think we were good enough and I just thought we lacked that bit of aggression and that bite that you normally see,” Healy said this week after his side ended their away day blues away to Athlone.

“I know we haven't been getting results and we've had individual errors, but I've often thought we were there or thereabouts in a game, but in the second half against Cabinteely, I just didn't see that. 

“Against Athlone, I thought the pressing off the ball was brilliant, and when the players were on the ball, they were very good as well, so it was a great performance, but we have to do that against Shels now on Friday night and that's the challenge for the players now.”

In terms of team news for City, Alec Byrne is expected to miss out along with George Heaven and Cian Bargary who are definitive absentees. Ronan Hurley is also rated as a doubt.

Referee: David Dunne.  

 

MATCH STATS

Cork City’s win over Athlone Town last weekend was the first time they won away from since August 2019.

Shelbourne remain eight points clear at the top of the First Division table and have the best defensive record in the league having only conceded 10 goals thus far.

Cork City have only defeated Shelbourne once since 2013 – and are winless in their last three against the Reds. Their last win over Shels at Tolka Park came in 2012 when they won 2-1.

Their previous win before that was the 2-1 success that sealed the First Division title thanks to a late Graham Cummins winner.

BETTING

Shelbourne 1/2; Draw 13/5; Cork City 11/5.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2 - 0 Cork City

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Gerardo Bruna, Denzil Fernandes.

Doubtful: Sean Quinn, Yoyo Mahdy.

Suspended: None.

 

Cork City

Injured: Cian Bargary, George Heaven, Alec Byrne, Rob Slevin.

Doubtful: Ronan Hurley.

Suspended: None.