Devon hoping to add to woes of stuttering Shels

STEPHEN GLENNON

Salthill Devon will host a faltering Shelbourne outfit – which, despite their FAI Cup semi-final replay victory earlier this week, have lost three of their last four league games – in this penultimate First Division Airtricity League fixture in Drom tomorrow (7pm).

Both sides have plenty to play for heading into this one. Having led the league by 11 points at one stage, Shelbourne have imploded to fall to third in the table behind new leaders Monaghan United and second placed Cork City – although Shels do still have a game in hand on their opponents.

As for Devon, they are having their own fascinating duel with Wexford at the foot of the table and having drawn 1-1 with Longford Town last weekend, the Galway City side are now level on points with their South-East rivals heading into the final two games.

“It (the 1-1 draw) was major, but I have always said we should be getting points out of these games – against the likes of Longford, Waterford and Athlone,” said Devon boss Paul McGee.

“In fairness, the boys got a result they deserved. They have worked very hard, been enthusiastic, and they have never let the heads go down. So, it was great to see the smiles on their faces after the game last week.”

Indeed, that result broke a five-game losing streak for Devon, although McGee still insisted that his charges deserved to get something out of those previous games. However, he did concede there was a marked difference in his players against Longford.“All the players showed a great composure and played with a bit more confidence. There was also a physical side to their game as well,” he said.

If they can take something from this tie, remains to be seen – given they have failed to get a result in their last five meetings, conceding no less than 15 goals and scoring just one. Still, Shelbourne have been far from impressive in recent league outings.

“Yes, but they are in a Cup final now as well [having defeated St. Patrick’s Athletic in a semi-final replay on Monday]. I think Alan Matthews [manager] will have them settled down again for when they meet us, but they still have to beat us if they are going to continue to push for promotion. That brings pressures of its own too,” said McGee.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.