Match Preview: Dundalk vs. Shelbourne
DUNDALK
Dundalk manager Jon Daly remains optimistic as his side prepares to host Shelbourne at Oriel Park on Friday night, with kickoff set for 7.45pm. Despite sitting at the bottom of the table, the Lilywhites are within reach of Drogheda United, Bohemians, and even St Patrick’s Athletic, as they battle to avoid relegation.
Daly hopes that his team can capitalize on their return to action after over three weeks without a competitive match.
“If we can beat Shelbourne on Friday, we don’t just stay in and around Drogheda but we also potentially grab onto the coattails of Bohemians and St Pat’s who are the two teams above that,” Daly told the club’s website. “Having the St Pat’s game on Thursday night the following week is also a positive for us and if we can manage to pick up points in these next two games then we’d be right back in the hunt.”
Acknowledging the challenging position Dundalk finds itself in, Daly emphasized the importance of picking up points quickly to escape the drop zone.
However, Dundalk will be without key players Bobby Faulkner, Paul Doyle, and Dara Keane due to injuries, while Jad Hakiki is unavailable due to the terms of his transfer from Shelbourne earlier this season.
SHELBOURNE
Shelbourne manager Damien Duff will be looking to reclaim the top spot after his side relinquished it last weekend following a 1-1 draw against Bohemians. The Reds are now level on points with league leaders Derry City, trailing only on goal difference, but have the advantage of a game in hand.
Duff received a boost with the return of John O’Sullivan from injury, along with the near-return to full fitness of Sean Boyd and Dean Williams.
“The lads trained really well, the good news is Sean Boyd and Dean Williams are nearly back, which is great, it means we’ll go to Dundalk with almost a full squad to choose from,” Duff said in a statement to Shelbourne’s media team. “John O’Sullivan is available, he has been managing his pain over the last two weeks, but it just shows what a warrior John is, he’ll make himself available and play through it. The extra week has been good for him.”
Duff was also encouraged by the high-energy training sessions leading up to the match and is confident that his squad can deliver the performance needed to secure a win at Oriel Park.
PREDICTION
Dundalk 1-1 Shelbourne
Team News
Dundalk
Injured: Bobby Faulkner, Paul Doyle, Dara Keane
Unavailable: Jad Hakiki
Suspended: None
Shelbourne
Injured: Sean Boyd, Dean Williams
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea