Setanta Cup Final 2013 Preview

The first silverware of the 2013 season is up for grabs on Saturday as Shamrock Rovers take on Drogheda United in the Setanta Sports Cup Final at Tallaght Stadium.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

If Shamrock Rovers are to forge their way back into the title race they will need a miraculous recovery over the coming months but lifting their second all-Ireland crown on Saturday would go some way to appease the passionate Hoops fans after an indifferent start to Trevor Croly’s reign as manager.

Rovers are currently thirteen points adrift in the Airtricity League and have won just three of their opening twelve fixtures. However, a winning start to the season’s second round of games will generate hope amongst the optimists in the stands and much needed confidence for an undoubtedly talented bunch of players.

Recent results and performances have suggested that the Hoops are finally adapting to life under the 39-year-old and Saturday’s showpiece final provides the perfect opportunity for them to highlight they have finally kick-started what has been a faltering campaign.

Like their season to date, the Tallaght based club’s route to the final has not been straight forward or without drama. After losing the home leg to Coleraine, Ciaran Kilduff’s last gasp goal up North sent the Hoops through 2-1 on aggregate. The quarter-final tie against Linfield was a lot more straight forward as they ran out 7-2 winners before more late drama in the last four against Cork City booked their spot in the final on away goals.

Conor Powell (ankle) is the only injury concern for Trevor Croly going into the game. Ken Oman trained this week and will be available.

DROGHEDA UNITED

After exceeding all expectations last term, Drogheda United have experienced a somewhat of an underwhelming first third of the season but Saturday’s Setanta Sports Cup Final presents an excellent opportunity for the 2007 champions to draw a line under their patchy league form by capturing the year's first domestic trophy.

Like Rovers, Drogheda were unseeded this season Drogheda but set the marker down in the first round with an 8-2 aggregate victory over Portadown. A 94th minute winning goal from Ryan Brennan saw off Derry City in the quarter-finals and the Boynesiders defeated Sligo Rovers 2-1 over two legs to advance to the final.

Mick Cooke's squad has a full clean bill of health going into the final.

Referee: Rob Rogers

MATCH STATS

This is Rovers’ tenth all-Ireland final and the Hoops have faced a southern team in seven of them.

Trevor Croly is looking to win the first trophy of his managerial career having collected a Setanta Cup winners’ medal in 2011 as Michael O’Neill’s assistant at Shamrock Rovers.

Drogheda are the only club to win the tournament twice and they have reached a record third final.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 3/4; Draw 23/10; Drogheda United 4/1

PREDICTION

Games between the two sides have been extremely tight encounters in recent years and expect this weekend’s clash to be similar. However, Rovers have just started to grind out results in recent weeks and could just edge past their County Louth opponents by the odd goal.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Conor Powell

Suspended: None

Drogheda United

Injured: None

Suspended: None