Tonight’s clash between Shelbourne and Treaty United in the League of Ireland First Division at Tolka Park sees one of the country’s most historic sides square up against the new kids on the block in Irish soccer.
But 13-time Premier Division winners Shels, and the newly formed Limerick side know that history counts for nothing on match day and each club will be targeting a win as they both remain firmly in the race for automatic promotion to the top.
Although, they have spent significant periods with only 10-men on the field, in three of their five games to date, Treaty United are undefeated so far this season.
However, those red cards have come against struggling sides such as Bray and bottom-placed Wexford Youths, so Tommy Barrett’s men will need to keep their discipline if they hope to take something from this game.
Although they have a positive goal difference, this is largely due to defensive solidity, rather than an attack firing on all cylinders.
The fact that none of the Munster men’s goals has come from their designated strikers so far this season will be a concern. Their top scorer is Anto O’ Donnell who has provided two goals to date.
Players like Kieran Hanlon and Sean McSweeney will be required to provide more of a goal-scoring contribution if Treaty are expected to continue their good start.
Shelbourne have enjoyed better form in front of goal so far this year, scoring an average of two goals per game. After convincing wins on the road over Cork and Cabinteely, they will be looking to continue their winning run at home against Treaty, whom they will feel they have the measure of.
If Ian Morris can get the best out of players like Georgie Poynton and youngster Shane Farrell; then you expect that they will have too much for Treaty to deal with.
A narrow home win is forecast, although, with a wet night expected in Dublin, anything is possible.
