Shelbourne -v- Cherry Orchard

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne will face Leinster Senior League side Cherry Orchard in the last 16 of the FAI Ford Cup on Friday night in Tolka Park. Although on paper this seems like it should be a fairly routine win for Shels it will be anything but with the form that they have been displaying lately.

Shels will find it tough against a side famous for turning out excellent footballers from its under-age teams. Shels players Dean Delany, Gareth Matthews, Brian Shortall, Andy Boyle, Stephen Paisley, Glenn Cronin, Philip Hughes, Paul Byrne and Stephen Sheerin will all come up against their former side. Coupled with the fact that The Reds have a less than satisfactory recent record against non-league teams in the FAI Cup (knocked out by Crumlin United in 2009 and then by Sheriff YC [before being re-instated] in 2011) it will not be easy for Shels on Friday.

Shels played better against Bohemians on Monday than they have in recent weeks, being denied a victory only by a stoppage-time penalty from Keith Ward. Reflecting on Monday night, manager Alan Mathews said, “The players showed great character in bouncing back in a positive manner after the disappointment of the Sligo game”. When asked about the up-coming cup tie on Friday Mathews added, “Cherry Orchard are one of the best Intermediate sides in the country and have already beaten League of Ireland opposition to progress to this round of the cup. They will be as keen as ourselves to progress and we know we are in for tough battle.”

Without any injuries or suspensions picked up from either Monday’s or Friday’s games Shels will be at full strength this week.

CHERRY ORCHARD

Goals from Colm Daly and Declan Carroll saw Cherry Orchard through their first round tie agaonst Verona back in April. Round Two of the competition saw the Leinster Senior League side dispose of Longford Town from the First Division of the Airtricity League. Philip Sheppard put ‘Orchard’ ahead after 24 minutes and Alan Caul completed the scoring on 76 minutes – all without reply from the ‘Town’.

Since then The Orchard have finished one league season, had their summer break, and returned to their new league season, playing the opening game of the 2012/13 league season last Sunday when they were on the end of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bluebell United.

Referee: Rob Rogers.

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne have won the FAI Cup 7 times with the most recent success coming in the year 2000 when Shels did the double.

Cherry Orchard are famous for turning out future professional footballers from their under-age ranks. Players such as Keith Fahey, Andy Reid and Glenn Whelan all played for The Orchard.

Cherry Orchard are one of three junior teams left in this year’s FAI Cup. The others are Malahide United and Avondale United.

BETTING

Shelbourne 1/5; Draw 5/1; Cherry Orchard 11/1.

PREDICTION

Shels to run out comfortable 3-0 victors.

Shelbourne Injury News: None.

Shelbourne Suspension News: None.

Cherry Orchard Injury News: Unavailable.

Cherry Orchard Suspension News: Unavailable.