Derby Night at Tolka as Shels Open Home Season | OneFootball

Shelbourne FC return to Tolka Park on Friday night for their first home fixture of the 2026 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division season,

Shamrock Rovers are the visitors for a mouth watering Dublin derby.

Joey O’Brien’s Reds begin their home campaign under the lights in what should be a competitive early-season encounter against the Hoops.

Speaking to ShelsTV after training on Thursday, the Reds boss delivered an injury update:

“All good on the injury front. Chuck is back on the grass, JJ is back. The only two injuries are Sean Moore and Ellis Chapman, they’re both working away to get fit.

“It’s been a really difficult one for Sean since he came over. You see how hard he’s worked behind the scenes. Over the off-season he kept himself really going, filled out physically, and was ticking the last couple of boxes, then he had another setback.

“But look, it’s another opportunity for him to overcome those setbacks. He’s a great player and I am sure when he gets over the injury issues he’ll make an impact”

O’Brien is looking forward to getting back to Tolka: “Great game to kick it off against Rovers. A Dublin derby, the pitch looks great.

“The way you want to play, you need the pitch to play ball, but the conditions is the same for every club up and down the country. With the way the weather has been, teams haven’t been on grass consistently. It’s one of those things.

“There’s been a lot of work and investment put in. We’re hugely grateful of. We’ve a full-time groundsman who’s done some amount of work on it. But like anything, when the weather is this bad, it’s hard to stop the pitch cutting up.

“You’ve seen it in Tallaght as well. One of the best in the country and it wasn’t playable last week, it’s just the time of year and the conditions we’re dealing with.”

The Reds and Rovers have reignited an old rivalry in recent seasons, Rovers opening match was delayed due to weather, but O’Brien doesn’t feel that will have a big bearing tomorrow night: “Is it an advantage? Possibly. It’s another week to build fitness. We played a match, we got experience into the legs, and they’ve got a really strong mix in the squad. They can move lads around, mix and match, and this is probably the best time of year to be able to do that while everyone is fresh.

“A Dublin derby is always a special occasion. It can take on a life of its own. Form can go out the window at times. There have been some really good ones between the sides over the years. They’re always close enough affairs and I wouldn’t expect anything different this time.

“You’ll have two teams having a go at it. The pitch should be in good condition and that helps. Early in the season it doesn’t always play perfectly, so sometimes it’s just about managing moments properly and finding a way to get the job done, even if it’s not pretty.”

As Shels look to recapture League of Ireland glory and Rovers look to retain the title, O’Brien feels to teams desperate for success has made it one of the biggest rivalries in the country:

“I was over there myself as a player. Shels – Rovers has just grown and really kicked on. They’re fierce competitors on both sides. Both teams want to win, but there’s a real professional respect between the players and between the two clubs. Ultimately, it’s all about the players on the pitch.

“The lads are in good form going into it. Looking at last Friday I was fairly happy with the performance. I thought we controlled the game for long spells, had a lot of crosses, a lot of entries into their box, and created good situations.

“We probably could have worked their goalkeeper a little bit more. It’s about cleaning up those last bits, being a bit sharper in the final thid.

“Some of the boys are still getting used to it, Will and a few others settling into the rhythm. That will come as the season goes on. The more minutes they get, the more natural it becomes.”

The Reds bid farewell to Tyreke Wilson earlier today, as the defender left for Dundalk. Discussing the decision O’Brien said: “For me he’s been a super player for the football club. He’s so clever on the ball, he can play in multiple positions and he’s a really good player. Like anything, if an opportunity came up for him, I felt his game time would be limited and there are lads ahead of him and we were honest enough, and I think Tyreke appreciated that. Great servant for the club, and we all wish him well.”