The hosts are heading into the tie on the back of a narrow 1-0 loss against Bohemians last week, while Dundalk defeated leaders Shamrock Rovers 1-0 in their last league fixture.
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Shelbourne will play host to Dundalk in an Ireland Premier Division fixture at Tolka Park on Friday night. The hosts are heading into the tie on the back of a narrow 1-0 loss against Bohemians last week, while Dundalk defeated leaders Shamrock Rovers 1-0 in their last league fixture. The victory helped second-placed Dundalk to close the gap on the leaders to just five points. Shelbourne are languishing at the seventh spot with 24 points from 19 games. Both these sides have faced each other 13 times since 2012 and Shelbourne have failed to register even a single victory.
A massive night in Tolka Park this Friday. https://t.co/xSooi6Z8d8 #DublinsFinest | #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/ONjCpUVifN
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) June 21, 2022
At Dalymount Park, last friday, Shelbourne suffered their ninth defeat of the campaign courtesy of Dawson Devoy’s lone goal in the 13th minute. The home side played most of the second-half with a man less after central defender Ciaran Kelly received a red card. But Shelbourne failed to capitalise on the man advantage. Prior to that, the Reds saw their four-game winning streak come to an end on May 27, when they suffered a 2-0 loss against leaders Shamrock Rovers courtesy of goals from Richie Towell and Rory Gaffney. Meanwhile at home, Shelbourne has won each of their last three games, scoring five goals and conceding just once since April’s 4-1 defeat to Bohemian.
Dundalk, on the other hand, would be high on confidence after getting the better of leaders Shamrock Rovers last week. Robbie Benson’s lone strike, nine minutes from time, was enough to separate the two sides at Oriel Park. It was the Lilywhites’ fifth consecutive victory and are unbeaten in each of their last eight games, picking up 22 points from a possible 24. With 37 points from 19 games, the Railwaymen are just five points adrift of the top spot albeit with a game in hand .
Shelbourne striker Sean McSweeney is sidelined with an ankle issue. Striker Sean Boyd is pushing for a place in the starting eleven alongside Jad Hakiki. Meanwhile the back-four consisting of Conor Kane, Aaron O’Driscoll, Luke Byrne and Shane Griffin is unlikely to be changed. As for Dundalk, defender John Mountney is sidelined with a long term injury along with Bryan Gartland. Pat Hoban, who has netted eight times so far, is likely to lead the attack with Kelly, Benson and Bradley in support.
Shelbourne probable starting lineup: Clarke; Kane, O’Driscoll, Byrne, Griffin; Wilson, Moylan, Lunney; Farrell, Hakiki, Derwin
Dundalk probable starting lineup: Shepherd; Leahy, Boyle, Connolly, Macari; Doyle, Sloggett; Bradley, Benson, Kelly; Hoban.
The League of Ireland Premier Division encounter between Shelbourne and Dundalk will take place at the Tolka Park and it will kickoff at 12:15 am IST on June 25, Saturday.
The League of Ireland Premier Division matches are televised on LOITV.
