Sheppard aims to go from strength to strength with Galway

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION:THE ONGOING game of leapfrog at the top of the Premier Division could well resume this evening as Dundalk look to go clear of their rivals by beating Galway United at Oriel Park.

The home side are the league’s top scorers to date although the focus yesterday was on United’s strike-force with 19-year-old Karl Sheppard picking up the Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month Award for April after a string of impressive performances for Seán Connor’s side in recent weeks.

The Dubliner, who had spells with Shelbourne and Everton, arrived at the club during the close season and has been quick to strike up a productive partnership with Anto Flood but there may well be a lot more to come from a player who still feels he is adapting to first-team football in the Premier Division “It is very physical compared to reserve-team football in England,” he says. “It mightn’t be as good technically but it is difficult to play in. In the first game I felt I was pushed around too much by St Pat’s defenders but I think I’ve done better since. Seán (Connor) is working us all physically. And I’ve been working hard to hold defenders off, by working on my upper-body strength.”

Sheppard caught the eye more than once last month but his central role in the 3-2 defeat of Bohemians – two goals and a penalty won – did most to mark him out as one to watch. “It probably was the highlight of the month,” he says, “maybe the season. Not many do it; I think it’s something like six teams have won there in the last four years, so it was great to do it.”

Galway will be be without Stephen O’Donnell (suspended) and Derek O’Brien (stomach) and assistant coach Gareth Gorman says fatigue has been an issue for players who have been averaging nearly a game every three days in recent weeks.

The hosts are likely to be without Liam Burns, Garry Breen and JJ Melligan while Tom Miller could feature if he passes a late fitness test, but Stephen Maher is definitely out through suspension.

In the night’s other top-flight game, UCD will field a much changed side for their second clash with Shamrock Rovers in less than a week with Martin Russell likely to revert to something very close to the starting line-up from last Friday’s 6-0 drubbing of Bray Wanderers. He made eight changes for Monday’s League Cup game which the students lost but clearly hopes to field his strongest side tonight. He will be boosted by the likely availability after injury of Ciarán Kilduff and Billy Brennan.

Rovers are still without Pat Sullivan and Aidan Price while Robert Bayly is suspended and midfielder Chris Turner faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury.