Leinster Senior Cup Preview: Shelbourne -v- Dundalk

SHELBOURNE

Finishing fourth in the First Division last season and four points adrift of a play-off place, an annual renewal of hope was rediscovered last Sunday afternoon as a brace from James English earned Kevin Doherty's side a 2-0 friendly victory at Dalymount Park against rivals Bohemians.

 

Shelbourne hold the second highest number of Leinster Senior Cup titles with 19 – the last of which came in 2010’s 4-0 final win versus Bray Wanderers – but were displaced at the first hurdle this time last year.

 

An unexpected 1-0 loss at home to North East Football League side Newtown United courtesy of an 88th minute Dessie Waters goal shifted focus onto league proceedings for last season but a disappointing record of three wins in ten games against Finn Harps, UCD and promoted Wexford Youths ultimately proved costly.

 

They will be vying for their first taste of silverware since they last won this competition when it was recouped following a ten year absence at the Carlisle Grounds in 2010.

 

 



DUNDALK

Champions Dundalk claimed last year’s Leinster Senior Cup following a Kurtis Byrne-inspired 3-1 victory against Shamrock Rovers in late October, having claimed the Premier Division title a week before at Tallaght Stadium.

 

The collection would be made even sweeter when it became a treble-winning season following November’s FAI Cup final win against Cork City, meaning Stephen Kenny’s side secured three out of four domestic honours in 2015.

 

The absence of Richie Towell following his departure to Brighton will no doubt be felt throughout this season, with Kenny’s side losing its leading talisman in consecutive seasons, with Patrick Hoban joining Oxford United a year earlier.



 

However the Lilywhites will be bolstered by the majority presence of its cup and league winning squad, with highly-rated midfielder Daryl Horgan signing a new contract in December despite trials at League One side Peterborough United.

 

They got preseason proceedings underway with a confident 4-1 friendly win over Cliftonville on Tuesday night thanks to goals from John Mountney, Stephen O’Donnell and a brace from Horgan, with manager Stephen Kenny remarking the game as a useful workout for his squad.

 

Dundalk meanwhile have won the Leinster Senior Cup a total of seven times.

 

Referee: Unknown

 

 

MATCH STATS

Dundalk played a total of 48 competitive games in 2015 across five competitions – losing only three games, and winning three titles.

 

Shelbourne hold the second highest number of Leinster Senior Cup titles (19) behind Bohemians, who have 31.

 

 

BETTING

Shelbourne 13/2 Draw 15/4; Dundalk 1/3

 

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-3 Dundalk

 

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None

 

Dundalk

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Ciaran Kilduff, Darren Meenan, Ciaran O'Connor.

Suspended: None

    About Aaron Gallagher

    Aaron is a Dublin-based freelance writer currently studying journalism at Dublin City University. You can follow more of his work on Twitter @AaronGallagher8 View Full Profile