Shelley relishing new role for Drogs
The former Bohemians, Carlisle and Shamrock Rovers man is enjoying a new lease of life at United Park where he was named Player of the Season last year. Injuries forced Shelley into a centre-half berth at the start of the campaign and he has produced a series of winning displays, most notably in the Setanta Cup semi-final victory over St Pat’s which saw Drogheda through to the final against Linfield at Windsor Park tomorrow.
Said the 25-year-old Dubliner: “I’ve never been fitter than I am now. I surprised myself in the game against St Pat’s, I still had buckets of energy even though the match went to extra-time. I was unfit coming back from Carlisle as I sat out the last two months of the season. The training here at Drogheda is very intense, it’s definitely the hardest training I’ve ever had. It’s more professional than anywhere I’ve been.”
On being named Player Of The Month, Shelley says: “I really wasn’t expecting to get this. A lot of the lads had a really good month, particularly Shane Robinson and Eamonn Zayed, so I’m delighted to have gotten it.”
With Drogheda engaged in North-South business and Cork City, Sligo Rovers, Derry City and Shamrock Rovers playing their games over the weekend, tonight’s Premier Division bill is restricted to just three ties.
Having been knocked out of the Setanta and League Cups and suffering their first defeat in the league at the hands of Cork City, leaders St Patrick’s Athletic will be anxious to ensure that a wobble doesn’t turn into a spin when they make the familiar trip to Belfield this evening.
It will be the second time in five days that Johnny McDonnell’s side have faced UCD, the Students having beaten Pats 1-0 in the League Cup last Monday. Missing for Pats are Alan Kirby and Dave Mulcahy, both with groin injuries, while Stephen Paisley is suspended following his red card in Turner’s Cross. John Frost and Mark Quigley have flu but have not been ruled out of the game.
Of their recent dip in form, manager McDonnell says: “Two of those defeats came against Pat’s and Cork, but we’re still creating chances so I don’t have too great a worry.”
Meanwhile, UCD boss Pete Mahon is enthused by the form of his side which sees them go into tonight’s clash looking to extend a seven-game unbeaten run.
“It’s the best run of form we’ve had since I got here”, he says. “We’ve had a couple of high-profile wins over Derry and Pat’s and we want to keep that going.”
At the other end of the table, Waterford United are already describing their meeting with fellow strugglers Galway United at the RSC as a “must win” game. Blues boss Gareth Cronin will be without Stephen Cooling who is still troubled by an ankle injury. However, Dean Delaney, Pat Flynn, Shane Harte, David Breen and Vinny Sullivan all return to the side after being rested in the League Cup defeat by Cobh Ramblers
Said Cronin: “It was very disappointing to lose on Tuesday night but we have to put that behind us and get back to focussing on the league. We have continued to show improvement in our games and last Friday’s result against Drogheda (a 1-1 draw) was well deserved. We just have to keep building on these results.”
In tonight’s other game, Bohemians host Longford Town at Dalymount Park. Dessie Byrne faces a late fitness test but is expected to make the squad. Mark Rossiter (ankle) is 50-50 but Gypsies boss Sean Connor believes next week’s game against Cork might be a more realistic target. Harpal Singh (shoulder) and Dean Pooley (ankle) remain out while Fergal Harkin resumes training on Monday after knee injury.
Says the Bohs manager: “Connor Powell has done exceptionally well and Dessie has a battle on his hand to make the team but his return is a major boost for the squad given his determination and his versatility in a number of defensive and midfield positions.”
Connor is not underestimating the challenge Longford will provide.
“They have done well in recent weeks after a shaky start and will be up for this game as they seek to keep a run going and move up the table,” he says. “Things have not been easy for Alan Matthews but he is a good manager. However, I want the three points on offer and I have told the players that.”
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