Reds Ready for Pivotal Dublin Derby at Tallaght | OneFootball

The League of Ireland Champions, Shelbourne, make the short trip across the city to take on Shamrock Rovers in a Dublin derby (8pm KO / Live on Virgin Media).

Speaking ahead of the match, Reds boss Joey O’Brien confirmed that only long-term absentees Conor Kearns and Sam Bone remain unavailable for selection, while Sean Moore continues to be monitored after a groin issue a few weeks back:

“Conor, Sam and Sean Moore are still out of action and continuing their rehab. Conor and Sam are longer-term, and Sean’s still not quite ready to return. Apart from that, we’ve a full deck to choose from, which is great at this stage of the season.”

The Reds are at a critical juncture in the race for Europe, with three games in seven days. O’Brien says his side are raring to go:

“It’s a massive week, a defining one really, but for us it’s about taking it one game at a time. This is a huge game and one we’re really looking forward to. We had a positive result the last day there, in our first European group game, but the performance could’ve been better, though there were good things to take from it, a lot of positives. We’re familiar with the pitch and the ground, but it’s a tough task.

Rovers are a very difficult side, they’ve got a great record up there and it’s always a tough place to go. The players have been looking forward to it; it’s been two weeks since our last league game against Waterford, so the focus has been really good in training.

It’s all about getting points on the board now. There’ll be twists and turns to come before the end of the season, and this Friday–Monday spell is massive for us. With the TV cameras there and a near full house expected, with the away end packed, it’s a great occasion, these Dublin derbies always are. We just want to turn up and deliver a good performance.”

O’Brien knows games involving the old Ringsend rivals always deliver drama:

“The games between ourselves and Rovers have always been tight. Over the years there’s been some great games, a few crackers with plenty of drama. There’s never been a lot in it, and I’d expect the same again tomorrow night. We’re really looking forward to it; we’ll go up there, aim to put in a performance, and concentrate on what we can control.

We’re one point off fourth, four off third with a game in hand, so we’re right in the mix heading into the run-in. I spoke to the lads about it, this is the business end of the season, and between the race for Europe in the league and the European group stage in the UEFA Conference League, we’re in the hunt. These are the games you want to be playing in, when every point matters.

It’s great to have high stakes and pressure, that’s what you want as a professional. It’s been like that the last few years. Come the end of the season, our fans have always had something to get behind. We were chasing Europe two years ago, up to the last night in Drogheda, and chasing the title last season right down to the final few minutes. It’s the same again now. There’s still plenty to play for, and that’s massive for the squad.

We’ve got five games in sixteen days coming up, so it’s about making sure everyone’s ready to go, ready to step up and play their part. The prize on offer, European football, is massive for us.”

The Reds’ reign as League of Ireland Champions could come to an end tomorrow, with a draw enough for the home side to clinch the title. O’Brien reflected:

“Our run as champions is coming to an end, but the journey we’ve started on is not over yet. The main objective at the start of the season was to defend the title, that didn’t work out, but you don’t feel sorry for yourself; you get on with it and go for the next objective, which is to make sure we qualify for Europe.

That’s where you want to be, in the hunt, competing for something meaningful right to the end of the season. That’s where we are. There are still some monster games to come, and that starts on Friday. It’s about putting in the performances, finishing strong, and making sure we’re right there when it matters.”