Premier Division previews: Shelbourne were yesterday handed an unexpected boost ahead of tonight's visit of championship rivals Bohemians when Stuart Byrne was deemed eligible to play by a meeting of the league's management committee.
The midfielder was, along with Longford defender Alan Murphy, due to miss last Saturday's game at Flancare because of suspension, but the game was abandoned after an hour because of water on the pitch and both players have now been deemed to have served their one-match bans.
The decision was taken after advice was received from UEFA to the effect that the players had suffered from their exclusion of what did take place in Longford at the weekend but the advice, rather bizarrely, seems to take no account of the fact that neither club will now have to be without their respective players for any game in which there is actually some points at stake.
Bohemians manager Stephen Kenny last night described the decision as "a strange one all right", but said he preferred to concentrate on the aspects of the game he had some influence over.
"He's a good player and they would have missed him but it's really not my concern, so we'll just go and do our own thing and play against whoever lines out for Shelbourne on the night."
Kenny admits Friday's performance against Cork was disappointing but says the team can't be expected to perform consistently well when they are having to play a game every three games or so. With no let-up until the end of the season, however, the title now looks set to go to whichever of the top two copes better with the strain.
The visitors have Simon Webb back from suspension while Robbie Doyle has recovered from a bout of flu. The left back seems certain to reclaim his place in the starting line-up while Kenny describes the choice between Doyle and Paul Keegan as "a dilemma I'll have to sort out between now and the kick-off". Fergal Harkin is still away on business and misses the game.
With Byrne back, Shelbourne are at full strength as they seek their first win of the season over their northside rivals. The previous meeting of the two sides at Tolka finished level with two goals each while Ken Oman bagged the three points for Bohemians in Dalymount Park with a memorable goal from long range.
"I think that a win for us would be a bigger result in terms of where the league goes than a win for them," said manager Pat Fenlon yesterday. "But we've still got a lot of games to go against St Pat's and Bohs again, so I wouldn't say the winner on Tuesday is guaranteed the league."
Elsewhere St Patrick's Athletic must take on Derry City at the Brandywell without five injured players. Paul Osam, Davy Byrne, Anthony Murphy, Kharim El Khebir and Clive Delaney are ruled out by Eamonn Collins while Gavin Dykes has Seán Hargan, Peter Hutton and Billy Clery back but expects to without Liam Coyle and Eamon Doherty.
Waterford United are still missing Dan Connor for the visit of relegation-threatened UCD and so Pat Holden will continue to deputise for the suspended goalkeeper. Pete Mahon, meanwhile, continues to wrestle with a whole range of problems but Alan Cawley is back from suspension and the manager is hoping Robbie Martin will have recovered from an ankle problem.
Denis Behan stands by for Cork as Kevin Doyle struggles with a neck problem while the clearance of Murphy to play for Longford at Turner's Cross means Alan Matthews has the squad he brought to Lansdowne Road.
