In a match which is set to have massive ramifications on the race for the league title, Shelbourne will host Derry City at Tolka Park on Monday night in the League of Ireland.
The Shels come into this clash following a pair of European adventures, whereas the Candystripes are fresh from a handsome success on the domestic scene.
Match preview
© Imago
Performing admirably in the 2023 edition of the League of Ireland Premier, Shelbourne secured a spot in the qualifying round of the 2024-25 Conference League, but the Irish side's journey in the competition came to a sobering end on Thursday night on home soil.
Following a three-goal defeat at the home of Austrian powerhouses FC Zurich on July 25, the Shels had all the work to do in the second leg to secure passage into the third round of qualification, but a goalless draw at Tolka Park means that they are now out of Europe.
Due to exploits in the Conference League and FAI Cup, it has been five matches since Shelbourne last walked out for a League of Ireland contest on July 4, when Tyreke Wilson's opener for the visitors was cancelled out by a Douglas James-Taylor penalty for Drogheda United, leading to a share of the spoils.
Regardless of dropping two points at the home of a relegation fighter last time out, the Shels are still in the driving seat as the business end of the League of Ireland title race approaches, with Monday's hosts currently three points ahead of second place despite playing a game fewer.
Also competing in the Conference League this summer, Derry City suffered an embarrassing defeat to Bruno's Magpies of Gibraltar, with the European minnows winning the contest 3-2 on aggregate to ensure a spot in the next round of qualifying.
Unlike their hosts on Monday night, the Candystripes have been back in domestic action since exiting the continental stage, with Ruaidhri Higgins's troops keeping with FAI Cup dreams alive with a solid three-goal success over St Patrick's Athletic.
Netting a brilliant brace at Brandywell Stadium, Michael Duffy fired Derry into the last 16 of the competition and will be looking to have a similar impact on the title race, with the 30-year-old scoring five goals and providing four assists in 20 League of Ireland matches to date.
Heading into Monday night's all-important clash of the title contenders, the Candystripes sit second in the top-flight standings, three points behind leaders Shelbourne, who could be nine points ahead of their only challenger should they win this match and also be victorious during their game in hand.
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Team News
After receiving his marching orders during the most recent league match, Shelbourne's Patrick Barrett will be suspended for Monday night's crunch clash.
The Shels were extremely ill-disciplined in their last League of Ireland contest, also seeing goalscorer Wilson sent off, limiting their options at left-back for this one.
Derry are short of options in midfield due to the absence of Jordan McEneff, who is still recovering from a foot injury sustained in the middle of May.
The Candystripes are without a veteran enforcer on Monday, with Patrick McEleney fighting back from a broken hand sustained earlier in the summer.
Shelbourne possible starting lineup:
Kearns; Griffin, Lewidge, Gannon, Bone; Caffrey, Lunney, Coyle; Smith, Jarvis, Martin
Derry City possible starting lineup:
Maher; Dummigan, Connolly, Coll, Doherty; O'Reilly, Patching, Kelly, McMullan, Duffy; Hoban
We say: Shelbourne 1-1 Derry City
Shelbourne have a great opportunity to move even closer to the Irish crown, but the visit of Derry will be a massive test on Monday night.
The Candystripes were embarrassed on the European stage recently but should be good enough to avoid a damaging defeat at Tolka Park in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
