Shels hope for easier time v St Pats

Shelbourne will be hoping another miraculous comeback is not necessary to secure the points against St Patrick’s Athletic at Tolka Park tonight (7.45pm).

Shels kept their hopes of progressing in Europe alive with an amazing fight back at Lansdowne Road last Thursday night in their UEFA Cup clash with Lille. Two goals in the last 10 minutes from supersub Glen Fitzpatrick earned them a 2-2 draw .

There is plenty on the line tonight also as they return to eircom League action.

Drogheda’s surprise defeat to Longford Town on Friday night denied them the chance to reclaim top spot in the premier division. A Shels victory this evening can send the defending champions four points clear in the title race.

Lansdowne hero Fitzpatrick is set to return to the starting line-up tonight as manager Pat Fenlon reverts to a more adventurous 4-4-2 formation away from European competition. Midfielders Stuart Byrne and Alan Moore are also back in contention having missed the Lille game through suspension.

Defender Dave Crawley serves a one-match ban tonight, though, and midfielder Joseph Ndo is still suffering a groin injury.

There is pressure on St Pat’s too. Bottom club Dublin City’s victory over Shamrock Rovers at the weekend has cut the Inchicore side’s cushion above the relegation zone to 12 points over the Vikings with 11 games to play.

Pat’s boss John McDonnell will be without Paul Osam and Brendan Markey, both due to back problems, for the trip across town.