Shelbourne head to Richmond Park tonight to face St Patrick’s Athletic in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, with Joey O’Brien asking for a sharper finish after last week’s 0-0 draw with Sligo Rovers at Tolka Park. Shelbourne dominated large parts of that game and created enough chances to win it, but O’Brien said the clean sheet was still a step in the right direction.
“Building on the clean sheet is the positive. It’s something we spoke about. It’s about stability. Everything comes from a clean sheet and we haven’t had enough of them,” O’Brien said. He added that Shelbourne are creating plenty of chances, but were “very disappointed” not to take one against Sligo and turn control into three points.
The manager said the result has already been parked, with the focus now on a trip that will test Shelbourne in a different way. “But it’s gone now, so we look forward to playing Pats,” he said. St Patrick’s Athletic are “flying,” O’Brien said, and he expects a game in which neither side will sit back.
That makes tonight’s fixture feel like more than a routine league game. The clubs met earlier in the season in a match that Shelbourne led 2-0, clawed back to 2-2 and then lost 3-2 late on. O’Brien said St Patrick’s Athletic scored three set plays that day, a detail Shelbourne have had in mind since. “The lads are aware of that,” he said. “We need to stand up, step up and defend a lot better.”
Shelbourne’s own away form gives them some reason to travel with confidence. O’Brien said the side are “one of the best in the country results wise” on the road, even if their home record has been poor. He called that split “a mad thing,” but said the away results show the capacity inside the group and give him belief that a strong run at home will follow.
For the manager, the task is as much about control as it is about quality. “People have made a lot out of it, the form at home, but we know it will turn,” he said. “For us now, it’s about tomorrow, stopping their threats, implementing our own style and creating problems for them.” He added that Shelbourne would do everything they can to bring their quality, convert chances and come away with the right result.
The team news offers a few pointers, though not a full picture. Jack Henry-Francis will be assessed closer to kick-off, while James Norris and Odhran Casey continue to work their way back. Milan Mbeng and Mipo are both close to returning after getting back to full training in the last week, which should strengthen Shelbourne if they can be eased back in over the coming games.
The equation is clear enough for Shelbourne: turn pressure into goals, cut out the cheap mistakes and keep the clean sheets coming. If they can do that at Richmond Park, the frustration of the Sligo draw will matter less than what follows it.
