SHEL SHOCK

Kilduff: FAI Cup loss was horrendous but we can make amends by securing our Prem place

CIARAN KILDUFF i s convinced Shelbourne can finish the ‘ shortest campaign but longest season ever’ on a positive note.

The 2020 year began on February 14 but was halted i n mid- March due to the Covid- 19 pandemic before resuming on July 31.

“I think back to opening night, when we played i n Cork in front of fans, and it feels like it was three years ago,” said the striker ahead of tonight’s final series of games.

“It’s hard to believe this is actually the same season but credit to everyone around the league for pulling it together and getting it over the line.”

Shels are looking for one last push themselves as they could yet finish the night in the relegation playoff against Long ford Town.

If Finn Harps win at home to Water ford, Shels – who are three goals better off than Ollie Horgan’s men–will need at least a point against champions Shamrock Rovers.

Preparation has been far from ideal as they were hammered 4-1 in the FAI Cup quarter- final by First Division strugglers Athlone Town. They also lost away to Derry City in the league before that but Kilduff feels a sense of perspective is required. He said: “The cup performance was unforgivable but if you stand back from it all we’ve six points from our last nine in the league.

“Two years ago, Shels were in the First Division for their sixth consecutive year and now we’re eighth in the Premier where a win in the last game could leave us mid- table.

“If you’re a glass half full type of person, we could still have a very respectable season.

“If we’d won an extra game along the way, a win over Shamrock Rovers might’ve got us Europe so it’s about perspective. It’s not as if we’re cut adrift.”

And Kilduff – a former Rovers striker – continued: “Last week’s result was beyond belief. There’s no point dressing it up. It took us most of the week to get over i t and some l ads sti l l aren’t because it wasn’t acceptable. But the best thing is we know it.

“Because it’s the l ast game we played, I ’d say pundits and supporters probably think we’re in the horrors.

“Maybe it’s just the rattle we need to focus minds but it’s not like we haven’t won a game in si x months. No matter what happens, we’ll finish the season only a couple of points behind the likes of Sligo, Derry and St Pat’s.”

Finn Harps have lost just once in their last seven games – and that was to new champions Rovers a week ago. Shels and Der ry are under pressure because of it but Kilduff won’t be sweating on the outcome in Ballybofey.

“Credit to Harps,” he added. “They stuck in and got results people didn’t expect them to. I’ve been around the league and Ollie H organ is forever doing that.

“They ’ ve put pressure on everyone. It’s a great fight and they’re taking it to the last day of the season. But we’ve our fate in our own hands.”

Shels are without suspended Luke Byrne and injured duo Georgie Poynton and Lorcan Fitzgerald.

Joey O’brien returns from a ban for Rovers who are likely to be without Neil Farrugia and Gary O’neill again.