Shelbourne FC -v- Limerick FC

• Gordon Hunt
• Thu, Mar 26 2009


Shelbourne will be looking to maintain their 100 percent start to the season when they welcome Limerick to Tolka Park on Friday night (kick-off 8pm). Pat Scully will take charge of the Shannonsiders for the first time, but his task won't be an easy one against a Reds side intent on executing revenge.

Title heartbreak
Last November, Limerick, and Colin Scanlan, consigned Shels to another season in the First Division with a 93rd-minute equaliser which cost Dermot Keely's men the title as Dundalk pipped them at the post. However, after a fantastic start to this campaign, Shels will be confident of somewhat easing the pain of that night.

Flying high
Shels are on fire, beating Wexford Youths, Monaghan United and Waterford United in their opening three games, conceding just once in the process. Kept off the summit by UCD on goal difference alone, the Reds will be hungry for more points to keep the pressure on Sporting Fingal, who were odds on for the title before a ball was kicked but who already find themselves five points behind their Dublin rivals.

Scully factor
Limerick, meanwhile, lost on the opening night of the season at UCD but bounced back with an emphatic victory at home to Mervue United. Last week’s scoreless draw with Athlone Town was particularly disappointing, though, as the Blues had a numerical advantage for the last twenty minutes after Athlone goalkeeper John McGuinness was dismissed. The introduction of Scully as manager can only work in their favour, however, and an immediate response is probable.

Roll call
Shelbourne’s David McGill (suspended) and Stephen Quigley (calf) are sidelined for this one, though Darren Meenan returns following a two-match suspension. Paul Cummins (ankle), Jason Hughes (suspended) and John Tierney are all out for Limerick. In better news, Pat Purcell and Wayne Colbert, who were unavailable for the last two games, return along with Colm Carroll, who missed last week’s draw with Athlone.

extratime.ie prediction: Shelbourne to nick it 1-0.