Kilmessan Shield Preview - Torro v Oldcastle
The feature game this week is the KIlmessan Shield clash bewteen hosts Torro and Oldcastle Utd at Hugh Powderly Park on Sunday (11:15am)
JUSTIN BURKE
Both these teams met in Div 2 last season with Oldcastle claiming a 2-2 draw at this venue, but Torro beat them in the last game of season (4-3) to gain promotion to Div 1.
Torro lost at home last week to Dolmen Celtic (2-3) in the Leinster Junior Cup while Oldcastle won their first league game with a 4-3 win away to Navan Cosmos.
Both clubs have injury worries ahead of this Shield clash.
Torro are without Aaron Tolan (broken leg) and have doubts over Colm Gilsenan, Shane O'Brien, Kevin Crowley and Colm Tully.
Oldcastle are without the injured CJ Healy, Eamon Boyle and have to wait to see if John Caffrey will be available.
Torro can rely on goals from Andy Tolan and midfielder Peader Farrelly has been finding the net all season so he could be a threat also.
Oldcastle haven't been scoring many this season and have a number of players chipping in when they can with the likes of Johnny Boylan, Jason Scully, Stephen Tierney and Rokas Rimkus all on the scoresheet.
Key to Torro will be Gerry Murray, Andy Tolan, Louis Timmons and the rejuvenated Michael Duke in midfield - if all four perform on the day it could be a good game.
Oldcastle have been brightened by the fact their under 17s players have stepped up this season to help them out with the likes of Jack Fox, Cillian Hanlon and Darragh Caffrey all impressing so far this season while John Shortt also has a crucial role to play.
Torro added a few players to their first team this season - Michael Duke coming up from the reserve side, and five under 17s while the signing of John Hand and Daniel Shields have boosted the team.
Oldcastle added mainly from within the club with u-17 players promoted while Ben O Brien signed during the summer.
Torro manager John Powell said that he should hope to win this game against Oldcastle though its always a tough game,
but he has a good squad.
Oldcastle manager Gerry O'Shea said he would like to be able to get something out of this game, maybe even spring a surprise.
PREDICTION
It's looking like a home win as Torro would average conceding two goals a game while Oldcastle are conceding an average of six.
Could this be a high scoring match ?