League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Drogheda United

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne were within minutes of losing their place at the top of the league table away in Derry on Monday night. 

But they recovered to preserve that top spot and will now look to home advantage to consolidate that position when they entertain Drogheda at Tolka Park on Friday night, KO 7.45pm.

They trailed Derry City by one- nil with 89 minutes on the clock on the Bank Holiday Monday fixture, a result that would have seen the Candystripes claim the top spot, on goal difference, but a late goal from Sean Boyd saw Shels draw level and gain a share of the points.

That late Boyd strike means Shels are still three ahead of both Derry and Shamrock Rovers on 27 points, with both challengers tied on 24 points.

Shels had 61% of the possession against Derry but had only one shot on target in the whole match so they will consider themselves somewhat lucky to leave the Oak Leaf County with a valuable away point.

Damien Duff spoke with the Shelbourne media team in advance of the Drogheda game and said: "They’re mad games, us and Drogheda, they’ve been packed with a lot of drama and we know how tough it can be. 

"I watched the game against Rovers in Tallaght; yeah, Rovers pulled away, but whether it’s home or away, it’s a really difficult game against Drogheda. 

"They have a lot of players who know the league better than me, they’ve been around the block. 

"Hard side, full of belief, like every game, it’s a tough battle and we need to be ready for that.”

DROGHEDA UNITED 

Drogheda United have only won three games all season, and as all there were at home at Weavers Park, they will have a tough task on their hands when they tackle table toppers Shelbourne in Tolka Park on Friday night.

They have proved to be well capable of taking points off the top teams however as evidenced by their home draws with Shels and Derry City earlier in the season.

They also got a significant confidence booster last Monday when they defeated neighbours Dundalk by 2-1 in the Louth derby.

Frantz Pierrot opened the scoring for them in the 55^th minute but Jamie Gullan equalised for the Lilywhites in the 78^th minute. 

The Drogs secured the three points when defender Hayden Cann slammed home Evan Weir’s free kick in the 94^th minute.

Drogs manager Kevin Doherty was ecstatic after that derby win and will be hoping his side have the same spirit when they run out in Tolka Park on Friday night.

When speaking to the Sun newspaper, he referenced that Dundalk game and said: "It was the best and maddest Louth derbies in years.

"As far as derbies go, that’s up there with anything we’ve had.

"I can’t remember any madder than that — how late it was, the ten minutes’ injury time, being down to ten men."

Doherty will be without goalkeeper Jethren Barr who was red carded in that game so will most likely call on Andrew Wogan to go between the posts in his absence.

Referee: Gavin Colfer

MATCH STATS

The Reds have a very good record against Drogheda United, only losing once to them in their last eight clashes.

There have been three games drawn however, a statistic that will give encouragement to the Co Louth side, including the first game of the 2024 season where it finished 2-2.

The Drogs were 2-1 ahead in that game in April, courtesy of goals from Oisin Gallagher and Evan Weir (Mark Coyle scored for Shels in the 45^th minute), but there were shades of the Brandywell last Monday night at the end of that game also, with Sean Boyd popping up yet again in the 90^th minute to score the equaliser.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2-0 Drogheda United

Shelbourne

Injured: Shane Griffin

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Drogheda United

Injured: None

Doubtful:  None

Suspended: Jethren Barr