Dundalk and Shelbourne eye crucial points in top-four race

Dundalk FC and Shelbourne will meet at Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off, 7:45pm), with both sides looking to strengthen their position in the race for fourth place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

The Lilywhites have another significant fixture to negotiate first, when title-chasing St Patrick’s Athletic visit Oriel Park on Monday night, before attention turns to Friday’s meeting with Shelbourne.

With the outcome of that game still to be decided, Dundalk’s focus will eventually switch to a Shelbourne side who are also targeting a top-four finish.

The two clubs are competing for the same position in the table, although neither has been able to establish a strong run of form in recent weeks. Dundalk have won just once in their last nine league games, while Shelbourne have also struggled for results.

At the time of writing, Shelbourne are still waiting for their first domestic victory under manager John Russell, who took charge with the Dublin club looking to improve their fortunes as the season enters its final stages.

That leaves both sides with plenty to play for when they meet at Oriel. For Dundalk, the opportunity is there to strengthen their position among the teams chasing fourth, while Shelbourne will be hoping to halt their recent slide and close the gap on the sides above them.

Fourth place could yet take on added significance depending on the outcome of the FAI Cup. Should Bohemians win the competition, the team finishing fourth in the Premier Division would secure European football, adding another incentive to the battle as the campaign moves towards its conclusion.

Dundalk’s return to the Premier Division has already exceeded expectations in some respects, having only been promoted from the First Division last season.

A top-four finish would provide an impressive conclusion to their first season back in the top flight, while the possibility of European football would add further significance.

The challenge now is to find greater consistency. Dundalk have continued to pick up points despite their lack of victories in recent weeks, but with the number of games remaining beginning to dwindle, there is an opportunity to make their position in the table more secure.

Friday’s fixture also comes during a demanding period for the Lilywhites. The visit of St Pats on Monday will be followed by the meeting with Shelbourne just four days later, leaving Ciaran Kilduff’s squad with little time to recover before another important league assignment.

The St Pats result will, of course, have an impact on the picture by the time Dundalk and Shelbourne take to the pitch on Friday, but the significance of the fixture is already clear.

Both clubs remain in contention for fourth place, and both will be looking for an improvement in form.