League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Shelbourne

CABINTEELY

After a hard-fought draw last week against Bray Wanderers, Cabinteely will be looking to secure another positive result at home when they face promotion rivals Shelbourne at Stradbrook on Friday evening.  (Kick-Off is at 7.45pm).

Cabo’s Vilius Labutis equalised for Pat Devlin’s charges early on in the second half last week to secure a point after Jake Ellis put Bray 1-0 ahead.

However, Shelbourne pose another difficult test for the unlikely promotion hunters from Dublin’s southside, a challenge that assistant manager Eddie Gormley is relishing. 

“They are a very good side and one of the favourites to go up,” the ex-Bray Wanderers boss said.  

“It’s going to be a tough game for us. We know the quality they have. But we have a bit of quality there as well. So, it makes for a good game.

“I don’t think there will be a lot in it. Listen, the league is set-up in a way that on any given day, any team can beat each other. We are well aware of that and take nothing for granted. All we can do is our best on the night; and see what happens.”

Winger Keith Dalton then added; “We’ll just keep doing what we’ve been doing. And not worry about anybody else. The way is it, we’re the underdogs at the start of the year. So, we’ll just keep going.

“Everyone is pushing everybody else for a starting place in the team throughout the squad. We’re all enjoying it – that’s the main thing.”

In terms of team news for Cabinteely, Kieran Butler and Oisin McMenamin both miss out through injury. Paul Fox is another absentee but is nearing his return after a long spell on the side-lines.

SHELBOURNE

3^rd place Shelbourne make the short trip across the capital to face 2^nd placed Shelbourne in what is set to be a keenly anticipated clash at Stradbrook on Friday evening.

Fresh from another clean sheet and three points, Shels boss Ian Morris notes that his side are raring to go after easing past Galway United last time out.

“Training has been very good this week, the lads been bouncing into training recently. Winning games gives you that momentum and confidence with the lads with injuries chomping on the bit to get into the match day squad where competition is fierce,” he said to shelbournefc.ie.

“The mood has been focused; we’re starting to show that one run in the league will keep you up with the pack climbing for the summit. There is no room for complacency or to take the foot off the pedal.

Morris added; “Cabinteely play direct and play with a lot of energy and youth in their team. When you look at the table, regardless of what game it is three points are so valuable and you have to take every game on its merits. They are where they are in the league because they deserve it. They’ve been doing well but so have we, so we will just focus on ourselves,” he concluded.

John Ross Wilson remains injured for the Richmond Road outfit, while Greg Moorhouse is a doubt heading into tomorrow’s game in Stradbrook after struggling in recent weeks with injury.

Referee: David Dunne.

MATCH STATS

In the last two meetings between the pair of First Division rivals, Cabinteely have scored two consecutive own goals against their Dublin rivals with Jack Tuite and Hudson both scoring in the wrong net for the Southsiders.

Cabo are unbeaten in their last four league games against the Reds having gone the whole of 2018 undefeated against Shelbourne. Pat Devlin’s side came up trumps in the most recent league meeting back in March with a 3-2 win.

Shelbourne have secured four consecutive clean sheets since their most recent defeat against Longford Town. Bray Wanderers, Drogheda United, Limerick and Galway United have all drawn blanks against Ian Morris’ side in recent weeks.

BETTING

Cabinteely 17/10; Draw 21/10; Shelbourne 7/5.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 1-2 Shelbourne

Cabinteely

Injured: Kieran Butler, Oisin McMenamin, Paul Fox.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: John Ross Wilson.

Doubtful: Greg Moorehouse.

Suspended: None.