Nov 02,2024
Going to Derry City tonight and winning could prove to be a hurdle too far for Shelbourne as an SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title race for the ages reaches its conclusion, according to Paul Corry.
Damien Duff's Shels side know that if they pick up all three points at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium they will win the league for the first time in 18 years, regardless of what second-placed Shamrock Rovers achieve at home to Waterford.
But a Hoops win coupled with Shels losing or drawing at Derry would see the LOI trophy remain at Tallaght Stadium for a record fifth time in a row.
Shels have been buoyed by back-to-back home victories over Waterford and Drogheda United which brought an end to a long winless run.
However, despite gathering some belated momentum and over-performing in relation to their budget, the Dublin club's recent record against top-half teams does not bode well according to Corry - although he does feel the fact that they are in the conversation for silverware is no mean feat.
"When you compare the budgets within the league, they'd be probably one of the smallest ones so it's a huge testament to the work that Damien Duff and Joey O'Brien have done with that squad.
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"But I still think it's a massive test tonight. They've done well to get over the line in their previous two games but even with Derry out of the title race, this is a massive, massive test.
"They haven't beaten a team in the top half of the table since Galway in June and they haven't beaten Derry in 11 games, so that gives you an idea how big an ask it is.
"I think if they are to get three points, they've got to be more defensively rock solid, hope for a clean sheet and then rely on somebody like Sean Boyd at the top end of the pitch to get you goals.
"So there's definitely momentum behind them but I can't get away from the struggles that they've had in recent months and I think going to Derry and having to win is just going to be too big a hurdle to get over."
Ultimately, Corry expects Shamrock Rovers to get over the line by overcoming Waterford in a must-win for Stephen Bradley's side.
"I think that should be a relatively straightforward game. They've a lot of experience to navigate that game tonight," he said.
"They've picked up form, they've gone through the gears in league and Europe, so I think all eyes should be firmly focused on the Brandywell tonight to see how Shelbourne get on."
