CONOR KEARNS is targeting another clean sheet tonight as Shelbourne shut out title talk.
Kearns has not conceded in more than 5½ hours of football since Ed McCarthy’s goal saw them lose to Galway United over two weeks ago.
Along with Galway’s Brendan Clarke — having traded places with his fellow stopper at the start of last season — he is leading the way with seven clean sheets.
And he believes that is the foundation on which Shels’ start to the season has been built.
Kearns said: “We pride ourselves on being tough to score against and beat.
“We went through a bit of a run where we were giving up sloppy goals, which was somewhat uncharacteristic for us.
“So to get clean sheets back to back is nice.”
That will be a tough ask away to Derry City. There were no goals when the sides met at Tolka Park at the start of last month when a virus had hit the Shels squad.
Kearns recalled: “I was not the only one in that boat, and it was one of the toughest games I’ve ever played in personally.
“It showed a real strength of character to get a draw out of that game, considering.
“Thankfully we are going up there on an even playing field.
“But the quality that Derry have, you have to be really on it, because you’re never going to get an easy game up there. You can see the quality they possess, and how well organised they are.”
Shels are two points clear of Shamrock Rovers, with Derry a further point behind but Kearns said: “The manager has echoed this point more than anyone. It is round two in the league.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s a major thing or is massively significant now.
“Round three, round four, that is when it starts to matter. Anyone can be top in April, May.
“The priority is to put in better performances.”
Shane Griffin (calf) is a doubt for Shels.
Derry are without Cameron Dummigan, Colm Whelan, Sadou Diallo and Patrick McEleney but may be able to call on Michael Duffy.