Setanta Cup Final: Having found himself in the relatively unfamiliar territory of central defence in the past few weeks because of the lengthy injury list at United Park, picking up the Eircom-sponsored Soccer Writers' Association Player of the Month award for April came as a welcome surprise for Drogheda defender Brian Shelley.
The 25-year-old had an outstanding month, culminating in a commanding display against St Patrick's Athletic in the Setanta Cup semi-final a couple of weeks back. Now, the former Bohemians and Carlisle United player is hoping he and his team-mates can go one better by beating Linfield to retain the title they won 12 months ago.
The Northerners looked tired against Cork City in their semi-final but still managed to win and they have since beaten Dungannon in the IFA Cup final to complete another double.
Shelley, though, is confident United will have the physical strength to test their rivals, particularly after the way they proved themselves in Inchicore.
"We just seemed to be getting stronger that night," he says. "From the second half onwards I thought only one team would win it. Pat's may be full-time too but we were definitely the fitter side."
That doesn't surprise Shelley who admits he has benefited hugely from the quality and intensity of the training regime at his present club. "I've never been fitter than now, it's the fittest I've been in my career. The training here is so intense. It's the hardest training. Every day is intense; it's not like any club I've been at."
The Dubliner's pace and stamina are generally put to good use by manager Paul Doolin at right back but Shelley has shown in recent games he is well capable of exerting a more central influence on things from the heart of the United defence.
"It's a different position," he says. "It takes a bit to get used to it. It was a bit uncomfortable and a bit hard the first couple of games but I've got a good run in there, I've been playing beside experienced centre halves who got me through the games and I'm actually enjoying it in there now, you know. I don't mind playing there now at all, to be honest.
"Having said that, I do like right back because it gives me a chance to get forward a little bit more but I'm enjoying it there now, so as long as Paul needs me there I'm happy to play there."
Home advantage may have made Linfield the favourites to win tomorrow's game with the bookies but there is quiet confidence within the Drogheda camp that they can pull off a repeat of last year's semi-final win at Windsor Park, with Shelley content that after some hard times at other clubs he is now among a team of winners.
"It made me better, being at the bottom for a year or two and experiencing relegation. Not that anyone wants to, but it makes you more hungry to win things and I'd do anything now to bring a medal back at the weekend."
