The Venue: Tolka Park The Date: Friday 7 March 2008 The Time: 8.00pm The Mission: Net three priceless points THE BIG KICK-OFF It has been a long four-month break away from competitive action, however, now, with the cobwebs dusted off and the Christmas bellies toned down over a tough pre-season, the real action is about to begin with the kick-off of the new eircom League of Ireland season. For many, the focus will be on the top flight where many matches stand out, however, there is no doubt about the highlight of the opening weekend’s action in the First Division, where all roads will be leading to Tolka Park for the crucial clash between expected title rivals, Shelbourne and Dundalk. The two sides have performed well in their warm-up games, with Shels unbeaten in their six matches - four of those being played against top flight opposition. On the other hand, their only wins have come against Letterkenny Rovers and Beggsboro. Dundalk too have been impressive in their six outings, however, they have suffered defeat on three occasions - to Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers and Derry City - with their only win coming at home to Saint Patrick’s Athletic. Despite that, the Lilywhites, ante-post favourites for promotion, enter the game in confidence having had an overall superb pre-season workout.

Please be advised of the following information received from Shelbourne Football Club:

1. Dundalk fans have been allocated the Riverside Stand for the eircom League game in Tolka Park on Friday, March 7th at 8pm.

2. Dundalk fans must enter the ground through the turnstiles at the Ballybough end of the ground. Ballybough end terrace/stand itself will be closed.

3. - Anyone found to be carrying Flares, Smoke Cannisters or Alcohol into Tolka Park will have them confiscated and will be banned from the ground.

4. - Access to the ground WILL NOT be allowed before the official opening time of 7pm, EXCEPT for Players, Officials and Ground Staff.

Shelbourne: Philip Hughes, Keith Dunne, Anto Flood, James Keddy Both Philip Hughes and Keith Dunne were key components in Dundalk’s fabulous 20-match unbeaten run during the 2006 season, though their efforts were not rightly rewarded with promotion. During that year, Hughes also broke Martin Reilly’s record of most goals in a single league season, as he netted 21 times. Both players, after a forgettable year, departed to join Shels at the end of last season. Anto Flood, meanwhile, had signed on at Tolka Park the previous July after being dismissed from Oriel for disciplinary reasons just three months into his contract. James Keddy, another new arrival at Shels in the close-season, was part of Dundalk’s 2002 cup winning squad.   Dundalk: Chris Bennion, David Crawley, Trevor Vaughan Trevor Vaughan and Chris Bennion both had fairly forgettable spells at Shelbourne, however, the same cannot be said for left-back David Crawley. After winning the cup with Dundalk in 2002, Crawley left for Shelbourne and helped them to three Premier League titles in four years, as well as playing in 23 of their 24 European ties during that period. He returned to Oriel after capturing his third league medal at Tolka Park in November 2006.

Dermot Keely -v- John Gill Dundalk’s last Premier League winning manager, Dermot Keely was John Gill’s mentor during his second coaching job in League of Ireland football at Kildare County in 2003. Gill was part of Keely’s backroom team for a short spell before taking up the position of manager at Dublin City, that despite his elder advising otherwise.   Keely tasted his first managerial experience 25 years ago, and during the subsequent years has led Shamrock Rovers to a double (1987), Sligo Rovers to promotion (1989), Dundalk to a league title (1995), Finn Harps to promotion (1996), two leagues and one FAI Cup with Shelbourne (1999-02) and promotion with Dublin City (2005). Gill, in his four years in management, has also been successful, as he has won promotion at both Dublin City (2003) and Dundalk (2006), though he was denied the latter by that decision.
WHERE WILL THE GAME BE WON AND LOST? Dundalkfc.com explores the possibilities…   Anto Flood -v- Ben Whelehan Two players who got to know each other during the early part of 2007 at Dundalk, however, their respective seasons at Oriel Park were cut short for contrasting reasons. Flood departed in early May for a breach of club discipline, while Whelehan was forced to sit out the remainder of the season soon after as he suffered a serious knee injury. It wasn’t the end for Flood, however, as he joined Shels, and once he became eligible to play in July, he took the division by storm, hitting eleven goals in seventeen games. He has continued that form in pre-season, and Whelehan will have to be on the top of his game to quieten his old team-mate, whose overall First Division record has seen him score 22 goals in less than 50 appearances.   Whelehan’s presence in defence was sorely missed by Dundalk after he suffered the aforementioned injury in the home win over Shels on 24 May last. In his eleven competitive appearances for the club last year, the towering centre-half was part of a backline which kept seven clean-sheets, a stat which saw the Lilywhites soar to the top of the standings. His departure to the sidelines was the first in a string of injuries sustained by key players in Gill’s squad, however, now back, the 27-year-old will be a major factor if Dundalk are to win promotion. After a nine-month absence, Whelehan returned in pre-season with three appearances as he looks to build his way back to full fitness, and now almost there, he is expected to be thrown in for the league opener to mark Shels’ 6ft3 star hitman. James Chambers -v- David Cassidy The only pair in our key battles who have never previously played together. Chambers has spent almost all of his career at Shelbourne, with one season on-loan at Waterford United in 2006 being his only break away from Tolka Park in four years. The midfielder, who recently turned 21, was played on the wing for the most part of last season and impressed as he netted seven goals in 32 appearances in the league, however, this year, the youngster is expected to be used more in the centre of the park. A highly rated midfielder, Chambers is seen as a big player in Shels’ promotion push, and his form will be paramount to the Reds playing their way out of this division. Likewise, Cassidy is seen as a key part of Dundalk’s title challenge, and to date, just a year older than his counterpart, the Ringsend-born midfielder has achieved more in a shorter League of Ireland career. Part of the Kilkenny City side which went on a marvellous run of form during the 2005 season under Pat Scully, Cassidy transferred to Shamrock Rovers with his boss the following season and helped the Hoops to the league crown. Another eye-catching campaign was to follow in 2007 as he played in 30 of Rovers’ league games as they finished fifth in the top flight, before he was surprisingly released last November. Soon signed by Dundalk, Cassidy’s form in pre-season has been the highlight of an impressive warm-up for the Lilywhites. Widely seen as a certain starter for this opening match, the winner of this key battle will no doubt be on the side which comes out with the more positive result.   Damien Brennan -v- Robbie Martin Two players who know each other well from their time at Longford Town over the past two seasons, this battle will be key to Dundalk’s chances of taking a precious win away from Tolka. Brennan was a star of Longford’s superb run and near great escape from relegation last year, as the centre-half repeatedly put his body on the line for the cause. The interest of top flight clubs in the close-season, Brennan instead opted for Shelbourne, managed by his former Dublin City boss. He has impressed highly during pre-season and his form here will be key in determining whether or not Shels keep a clean-sheet.   Robbie Martin, our ‘One to Watch’ in the new season, was unable to shine as much as his old team-mate at Flancare Park during 2007, as he was played on the left wing as boss Alan Mathews struggled for players. Now back in his preferred position of striker, however, Robbie will be a major threat to every defence this season. Has failed to score in pre-season, however, he has impressed with his tireless work-rate, and in his last season in this division in 2004, he netted 12 goals. Against this Shelbourne backline, he will be a constant thorn and will no doubt find himself in a position to snatch a debut goal - whether or not he takes it could decide the outcome.  Dermot Keely & Ben Whelehan The two became acquainted during spells at both Kildare County and Dublin City, with their latter spell together resulting in promotion from the First Division with the Vikings in 2005 after a playoff victory over Shamrock Rovers. Whelehan then captained Keely’s side the following season in the top flight, before the pair went their separate ways after the club ceased trading in mid-season.   Philip Hughes & John Gill A fruitful partnership which has blossomed at many clubs, beginning at Kilkenny City in 2001 when Hughes hit 15 goals in 20 appearances for the Cats, where Gill was assistant. The pair once again worked together at Kildare two seasons later for a short spell, before Gill brought Hughes to Dublin City in 2004. After Gill departed, Hughes went on to spend spells at UCD and Monaghan United, before the two were again united in 2006 after Gill took over Dundalk. A magnificent first season saw the striker score 21 goals in the league as he broke a club record, however, after a poor second year at Oriel Park, Hughes left for pastures new and joined Shelbourne in the close season, where he joined-up with another of his former managers, Dermot Keely. Last season saw the first competitive fixture between these sides in over five years, and it was a season which saw a welcome change of luck for the Lilywhites. Winless at Tolka Park in eight years, Dundalk ended that hoodoo with a 2-0 win in the third game of the season, with second-half goals from Philip Hughes and Shaun Williams securing the three points. Two months later, it was again maximum points to Dundalk, as David Crawley, Paul Smyth and Philip Hughes all scored in a 3-0 victory.   Shels, boosted by the arrival of many stars in the transfer window, were a different proposition third time around, and they got their own back in Tolka in late July, as ex-Lilywhite Anto Flood headed the only goal of the game. With Shels out of contention for promotion by September, the Reds arrived at Oriel with little to play for, however, they still made title-chasing Dundalk work hard for their victory, as Robbie Doyle fired the winner after only 16 minutes.   PAST TEN MEETINGS 27 September 2007 - Dundalk 1-0 Shelbourne 27 July 2007 - Shelbourne 1-0 Dundalk 24 May 2007 - Dundalk 3-0 Shelbourne 23 March 2007 - Shelbourne 0-2 Dundalk 27 January 2002 - Dundalk 1-2 Shelbourne 28 October 2001 - Shelbourne 4-0 Dundalk 27 August 2001 - Dundalk 1-1 Shelbourne 8 April 1999 - Dundalk 1-2 Shelbourne 27 January 1999 - Shelbourne 1-2 Dundalk 15 October 1998 - Dundalk 1-2 Shelbourne