Cabinteely v Shelbourne

SSE Airtricity League – Division One

Stradbrook – Friday, March 20th – KO 7.45pm

Shelbourne travel to Stradbrook on Friday night, for their first meeting with league newcomers, Cabinteely, in Division One of the SSE Airtricity League. Kick-off at the South Dublin venue is 7.45pm.

Cabinteely raised a few eyebrows with their results since joining the league – a first series win over many people’s tip for promotion this season, Wexford Youths, courtesy of the only goal of the game from John McKeown, just before half-time. This was followed up by the newcomers knocking UCD out of the EA Sports Cup with a late goal. Last weekend, they took the long journey north to Ballybofey, but came away pointless, losing 2-0 to Finn Harps.

Harps were first week visitors to Shelbourne, where a draw saw each side come from the fixture with a point. That was followed, with Shelbourne knocking Premier Division Drogheda United out of the EA Cup a few days later, Mark Sandford providing the only goal of the game. The Reds took three points from the UCD Bowl on Friday last, this time Sean Heaney providing the only goal.

Shelbourne manager Kevin Doherty on the win over UCD last weekend “I was delighted with the win at UCD. Once we settled into the game, we played well, creating chances and would have been ahead earlier in the game were it not for some good goalkeeping by their ‘keeper. Sean [Heaney] took his goal well from Jake’s [Donnelly] corner kick and we could have doubled the score close to the end”

On Friday’s game with Cabinteely: “We have watched Cabinteely and know it will not be easy. We will prepare well and approach the game as any other”

Shelbourne will be without Simon Dixon and Paul Andrews (both of whom will be absent for some weeks following head injuries received in the Finn Harps game) and Adam O’Connor, who has picked up an ankle injury. Craig Walsh is doubtful, having picked up a knock and will be assessed closer to match time, as will Evan Osam, who picked up a knock on duty with the Leinster FA team in Germany.

There are no suspensions this week.

Suspended: None

Injured: Paul Andrews, Simon Dixon, Adam o’Connor

Doubtful: Craig Walsh, Evan Osam

Goal Scorers (2015 Season)

Mark Sandford – 1 (1 EAC)

Sean Heaney – 1

Goal Scorers (Pre-Season 2015)

Philly Hughes – 1

Alan O’Sullivan – 1

Manuel Rodriguez -1

Ryan Robinson – 1

Mark Sandford – 1