Key Returns Boost Shelbourne Squad for Cork City Trip | OneFootball

The Reds are on the road to Turner’s Cross for the final game before the summer break as they take on Cork City in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division (7:45pm, live on LOITV).

Duff delivered a squad update on Thursday night. “No Sean Boyd and no Sam Bone this week. Paddy Barrett’s back and fit enough for the bench. Sean Gannon has a bit of a niggle but should be okay to take a place on the bench as well. Lewis Temple is back in the squad too. Conor Kearns has been back on the pitch the last few days, he’s healing quickly.”

The Reds head to Leeside looking to keep the momentum going after last Friday’s 3-2 win over Sligo Rovers.

“It’s a difficult one. The result tomorrow for everyone in the league probably colours the mood for the next week or so. You’re never really able to turn the page until the next game. We’re looking to build on last week. You can’t get too high when you win, or too low when you don’t. But I’m very optimistic. It’s been one of the best training weeks we’ve had in a long time. The lads are in good spirits. A) we got the three points last week, and B) a few of the boys are heading off on holidays, so we want to finish on a high.”

After tomorrow’s game, the Reds won’t be back in action until June 13th when Shamrock Rovers visit Tolka Park. Duff is not a fan of the break, particularly after a hectic run of games.

“It feels like more than ever, a lot of games have been squeezed into the first half of the season. I’ve never really got my head around the mid-season break. It feels a bit amateurish to me, and it’s something that doesn’t really sit well. But that’s for the powers that be to figure out. Personally, I’m not a fan of it.”

Speaking on the threat posed by Cork and their new manager, Duff said, “There are good sides with some decent players. Mbeng has been very good. Cathal O’Sullivan is back, and there are a lot of eyes on him for a reason. Djenairo up front is a real handful. I’ve tried to warn the lads as much as possible about that.”

“They are a quality side; we saw that in Tolka. Outside of that, it’s all about us. In that game at Tolka, especially in the first 45, we were flat. The lads were just waiting for something to happen. In elite sport, you can’t wait, you have to make something happen. And that has to be our mindset tomorrow.”

Duff knows they face a formidable challenge. “We touched on it in the meeting. It might be new to a couple of our lads, but outside of that, it’s Cork vs Dublin, Turner’s Cross jammed, Shels vs Cork City. It’s been like that for many, many years, history in this fixture. I doubt our lads will be surprised. We’ve warned them about what’s coming. We know there’s fire coming: they have a new manager, a proud city. They won’t lie down and accept it. It’s up to us to be at our best.”

Duff feels bringing aspects of last Friday’s winning performance would be a strong start.

“There was so much good in it. We were creating chances and had some very strong individual performances. One of the two goals we conceded was stoppable, we know that, but again, it’s about staying really focused and connected, both in our defending and in how we use the ball. The lads played with real freedom and expressed themselves well.”

As soon as the game ends, Duff will turn his attention to the Dublin Derby at Tolka on June 13th, with players working off tailored plans in advance of that game.

“We won’t be in, but I’ll be working, planning, building a meeting and training week for Rovers. The players all have varied breaks. Some are shorter, some longer, and a few probably don’t need a break at all. They’ll have their programmes to work with, and we’ll expect them to come back in good shape. Why it’s there in the first place, I don’t really know. Like I said, there’s a real amateurish feel to it. The game finishes Friday night, and it feels like the whole league meets in Dublin Airport on Saturday morning.”