League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Derry City

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Hoops boss Trevor Croly has no injury concerns ahead of his side’s league opener against Derry City, although he will be without the services of suspended duo Simon Madden and Shane Robinson.

Rovers go into this game on the back of an impressive 5-1 win over Irish League side Glentoran in the Setanta Cup and Croly will be hoping his side can start their 2014 Airtricity League campaign in similar fashion. Speaking ahead of the televised game, Croly said his players are raring to go: “The performances and results have been good in pre-season and in the cups, so we will be looking to bring that into Sunday’s game. The players just can’t wait to play.”

Former Irish international midfielder Stephen McPhail looks set to make his league debut for Rovers and fans will have high expectations of the ex-Leeds United star.

Croly feels that waiting an extra two days to play the game has increased the levels of excitement in the dressing room: “The upside of the game being on television is that it will give the match even more of a sense of occasion, and it is a good chance for the lads to showcase what they can do. But the downside is that we have to wait an extra two days to play when we are just raring to go. There is a great level of excitement in the dressing room.”

DERRY CITY

Roddy Collins has made sweeping changes since his arrival at Derry City in the off-season and he’ll be hoping his side can gel quickly in order to get off to a good start in the league this season. Collins has added ten new faces to the Derry City squad and has no major injury worries ahead of the league opener, although the fitness of Barry McNamee will be assessed closer to kick off.

Experienced midfielder Jon-Paul McGovern is unlikely to feature following his recent arrival as he’s short of match fitness. Former Shamrock Rovers defender David Elebert looks set to feature at centre back against his former employers.

Speaking ahead of the game, Collins highlighted the importance of a good start in the league: “It's vital for us to get a good start to the campaign and to perform as well as we can. We will learn a lot about the lads win, lose or draw, we will see how they react when the going gets tough. But the lads are full of confidence and with the two teams that are involved and the fact that it's live on television should make for a great occasion."

Referee: Paul McLoughlin

MATCH STATS

The last time Rovers lost at home in a league opener was a 2-0 defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park in 1996/97 

Five of Trevor Croly’s signings for the 2014 first team squad have played for Rovers before

From 1985/86 to 2013, Rovers and Derry’s opening match record in the top flight reads as follows:
Rovers: Played 28, Won 9, Drew 14, Lost 5 with a 42% win rate.
Derry: Played 26, Won 12, Drew 6, Lost 8 with a 46% win rate

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 4/5, Draw 23/10, Derry City 7/2

PREDICTION

 Shamrock Rovers to edge it 2-1.

Shamrock Rovers Injury News: None.

Shamrock Rovers Suspension News: Simon Madden, Shane Robinson.

Derry City Injury News: Barry McNamee (doubtful)

Derry City Suspension News: None.